RI House Creates Commission To Study Effects Of Tech On Kids' Mental Health

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island House created a commission to examine the effect of digital technology on children's mental health.

The measure was sponsored by state Rep. Justine Caldwell, D-East Greenwich and West Greenwich, state Rep. Megan L. Cotter, D-Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton, and state Rep. Tina L. Spears, D-Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown and Westerly.

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The 14-member commission will study "numerous aspects of the use of digital technology in public schools, ways to ensure applications used by children are designed with their best interests in mind, issues that arise with minors holding social media accounts, the use of artificial technology in mental healthcare treatment, and the use of AI companion technology and its potential impact on suicidal ideation and physical or financial harm," according to a media release.

"The legislation is an amended bill that combines concepts from several bills included in a package of legislation put forward by the three representatives — all mothers of children and teens — to address growing concerns around social media use and digital technology use by establishing new safeguards designed to reduce risks such as exposure to harmful content, exploitation and adverse mental health impacts among users, particularly children," the release said.

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“Online activity is a part of children’s lives, but we shouldn’t just accept the risks that come with that," Cotter said in the release.

"We can look for the ways we can demand the providers of this technology adequately protect against their products’ harmful effects on kids,” Cotter said.

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“Screens are now a regular part of every school day for most kids, using a wide variety of platforms and programs," Caldwell said in the release.

"While many platforms can make learning more fun, there have to be safeguards in place to make sure they are contributing to our kids’ education and not putting them at risk,” Caldwell said.

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The commission will include state representatives and stakeholders, including educators and parents, representatives from the attorney general’s office and the state police computer crimes unit, experts in children’s behavioral health and digital media and representatives from the Rhode Island Foundation and the Rhode Island Society for Technology in Education, according to the release.

The commission’s report and recommendations will be due by April 23, the release said.

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