So we're supposed to believe a total ban is the only way to handle this? Look, I get the concern—kids face real risks online. But banning something outright never teaches them how to navigate it. Social media is woven into modern life. If we pull the plug at 16, we're just delaying the problem. They'll hit 16 and have zero experience with digital drama, privacy settings, or spotting misinformation. That's a recipe for disaster. Plus, a lot of kids rely on these platforms for community—LGBTQ+ teens, kids with niche hobbies, or those in isolated areas. Taking that away can do real harm. Education and better parental controls make way more sense than a blanket ban.

Look, I've actually seen those Folk Valley videos you're talking about. They're awful, no question. But here's the thing—I saw them because I'm an adult who knows how to navigate the web. Kids see that stuff regardless of bans. They find it on school Chromebooks, friends' phones, or just by being curious. A ban doesn't stop the content from existing. It just stops kids from learning how to deal with it in a safe environment. Remember when we banned kids from violent video games? That didn't work either. They just played at friends' houses. What actually helped was parents talking to them about what they were seeing. I'd rather have my 14-year-old on TikTok with me in the room, learning to block and report, than have them sneak onto some unmoderated site where Folk Valley is the tame stuff. Education beats prohibition every time.

So my 13-year-old niece got her first phone last month. Her mom didn't ban social media—she set up privacy controls, talks to her about what she sees, and checks in regularly. Last week, my niece spotted a Folk Valley post and immediately reported it and told her mom. That's the win right there. A ban wouldn't teach that response. It'd just make her hide what she sees. Kids are smart. They'll find the content anyway, but without the tools to handle it. You're saying moderators don't act fast enough. I agree, it's a mess. But the fix isn't pulling the plug on every kid under 16. It's holding platforms accountable and teaching digital literacy. Blocking access until they're 16 means they hit that age with zero experience and all the curiosity. That's dangerous. Parents need to be involved, not replaced by a blanket law. Let's focus on education and better enforcement, not isolation.