In June, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will organize a workshop addressing how major tech firms exploit children and negatively impact families. The event aims to highlight the FTC's potential role in safeguarding minors amidst legislative delays. Last year, the Kids Online Safety Act failed to pass despite Senate approval, leaving children increasingly exposed to harmful online environments. The FTC has the authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act to combat unfair practices by tech platforms that manipulate young users' attention. These manipulative design features include autoplay functions, variable rewards like loot boxes, and social manipulation tools such as "like" counts and influencer interactions. Such designs significantly harm mental health and increase screen time, leading to depression, sleep disturbances, and exposure to cyberbullying.

The Workshop and Its Implications

On an upcoming day in early June, a significant event titled “The Attention Economy: How Big Tech Firms Exploit Children and Hurt Families” is set to take place in Washington, DC. This workshop, bringing together experts in child development, parents, and governmental leaders, underscores the FTC’s pivotal role in protecting children from digital dangers. One participant, Maurine, will discuss during a session whether kids are truly safe online. Despite legislative efforts stalling, the FTC holds the power to act decisively through its unfairness authority under the FTC Act. Specific focus will be on how tech platforms manipulate young users’ attention with various design features that lead to substantial consumer injury without providing any countervailing benefits.

These harmful features often result in excessive screen time, impacting both physical and mental well-being. For instance, auto-play functions make it challenging for young users to disengage, while endless scroll feeds keep them searching for engaging content. Social manipulation tactics leverage teenagers' desire for relationships, pressuring them into more frequent online interactions. The tragic story of David, Maurine's son who took his life at 16, illustrates how vulnerable youth can become addicted to gaming and social media. His struggles highlight the inability of families to counteract these manipulative designs alone due to the cognitive vulnerabilities of adolescents.

From a journalist's perspective, this initiative by the FTC marks a crucial step towards holding tech companies accountable for their exploitative practices. It emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory intervention when legislative actions fall short. By leveraging its full authority, the FTC can send a strong message to tech giants that prioritizing profit over children's welfare will not be tolerated. This case serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved—tech companies, regulators, and families—to work collaboratively in ensuring safer digital environments for future generations.