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Yesterday, Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families whose children have been injured by Facebook and other social media. That would pretty much be every parent in this country.
Zuckerberg and other tech moguls surely understand the addictive power of the net as well as how easy it is for sick villains to exploit children. And because we live in a free society, much of the harmful cyberspace stuff is not illegal.
Responsible parents can regulate social media, but many adults are tech addicts themselves and fail to pay attention. Authorities cannot force them to protect their children.
But new laws should be considered. For example, no devices are allowed in public school classrooms unless computers are needed for study. A kid flashes a device; it is confiscated until a parent picks it up.
How about a new federal cyber agency that can directly fine companies that allow illegal activities on their sites? That would require a new cyber police agency, but it's absolutely essential that oversight on tech be imposed.
Remember, artificial intelligence will overwhelm us shortly, creating new opportunities to harm children, like virtual pornography. The government has to get ahead of what will bring horror to American families.
It is now more difficult than ever to be a kid. Overwhelming danger is a finger click away. Many parents don't care.
But the federal government must.
See you this evening for the No Spin News.
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