Should Governments Regulate Social Media Apps?

By Jung Chan-hee, Bopyeong Elementary School

In modern society, social media has become an inevitable part of individuals’ daily lives. People use SNS not only to communicate with others but also to search for information, share their experiences, and stay updated on current events.

Although social media has enriched many aspects of our lives, it has also raised serious concerns that can potentially harm individuals and society as a whole. Therefore, I believe that the government should regulate social media to minimize harmful effects and to ensure public safety. With proper regulatory measures in place, democratic stability can also be maintained.

One major reason why the government should regulate social media is to protect public safety. Many social media platforms expose users, especially children, to provocative or inappropriate content due to their algorithms, which often prioritize engagement over safety. As a result, young users may encounter harmful material on a daily basis which can lead to addiction and worsening mental health. Since these issues pose real threats to citizens’ well-being, government intervention is necessary to create safer online environments and prevent potential harm.

Another important reason for government regulation is the need to maintain democratic stability. Social media can easily manipulate or distort public opinion by spreading inaccurate or biased information. In recent years, social media has become heavily involved in politics, and many people have formed their opinions based on misleading posts or targeted political advertisements. In some countries, social media has even been used to create prejudice against certain political parties or groups. This is problematic because in a democratic society, individuals should be able to form their own judgments based on reliable information.

Therefore, government regulation is essential to prevent political manipulation and protect the fairness of democratic processes.