Senator John Curtis continued on his mission yesterday of sounding the alarm on social media, algorithms, and what it is doing to children and adults alike. During a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing, “Curtis asked witnesses to confirm whether social media algorithms are designed to be addictive, whether companies track unhealthy usage patterns like compulsive refreshing and late-night use, and whether profit-driven business models outweigh user well-being. The witnesses unanimously agreed on all counts…While much of the hearing focused on children, Senator Curtis deliberately expanded the conversation to adults, asking experts whether the documented mental health impacts extend beyond youth. Witnesses confirmed that depression rates have doubled among young adults and that studies show reduced social media use leads to improved mental health outcomes in adults, including lower depression and higher happiness.” Curtis introduced legislation in 2025 called the Algorithm Accountability Act that would allow those harmed by algorithms to have options for legal recourse.
