State commission suggests children under 16 should not use social media

The New Jersey Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents issued its report on Monday.

Matt Trapani

Sep 22, 2025, 9:28 PM

Updated 4 hr ago

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State leaders are calling on school districts and parents to take action and limit excessive social media exposure among children.
The New Jersey Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents issued its report on Monday on how communities can address issues such as cyberbullying, addictive use, sleep disruption and mental health decline.
“This report is a roadmap for action. Social media has rewired childhood, and the stakes could not be higher,” commission co-chairs Pearl Gabel and Charles Gelinas wrote in a statement. “New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the nation and prove that when it comes to our children, safety and well-being come first.”
Some recommendations include:
  • School districts implementing a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones
  • Parents delaying children’s access to social media
The commission also suggests that social media companies should:
  • Restrict access for users under the age of 16
  • Provide tools for parents to better navigate social media use with their children
  • Develop and improve resources to protect users
The full report can be found on the New Jersey Department of Education’s website.