Legislation Will Not Protect Kids Online

This op-ed was co-authored by Tom Pandolfi, Public Policy Intern on Tech and Innovation at the Libertas Institute. 

Officials across the country have introduced a wave of new restrictions on social media. These laws are unlikely to solve the harms associated with such platforms—indeed, they could exacerbate them.

In Texas, for example, Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed a law requiring app stores to handle age verification for social apps. Age verification has been tried before, with results that are mixed at best. When they were implemented for online pornography, searches skyrocketed for virtual private networks, which allow people to evade such restrictions; other users migrated to offshore platforms beyond U.S. regulation. Barring minors from social apps could easily lead to a series of similar loopholes or workarounds.

To read the full op-ed, click here.

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About the author

Devin McCormick

Devin McCormick is the Technology and Innovation Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute, where he applies his diverse experience spanning tech sector equity trading and advanced AI/ML solutions. Before joining Libertas as a policy analyst, Devin developed strategic technologies at the State Department and interned at the Libertas Institute during the 2024 legislative session. A graduate of the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) at UC San Diego, Devin holds a master’s degree that complements his bachelor’s in International Affairs from Florida State University. His academic and professional journey is further distinguished by his service as an Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Driven by a commitment to integrate technology with sound policy, Devin joined Libertas to advocate for policies that harness technological innovations for societal benefit. Outside of his policy work, Devin enjoys staying active and exploring the great outdoors.

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