In an era where digital interaction often eclipses physical connection, the conservative movement must champion not just the preservation of traditional values, but also the protection of our most vulnerable: our children. The pervasive influence of social media on the young psyche cannot be understated, and while the digital realm offers unprecedented opportunities for connection and knowledge, it also harbors a dark underbelly that threatens to undermine the very fabric of childhood. Here, I propose not merely a ban on social media for children under 16, but a reimagining of our digital society through a conservative lens.

The crux of conservatism has always been about conserving what is good, about protecting the innocence and development of our youth. Social media, in its current form, is antithetical to these ideals. It's not merely about curbing the hours spent on these platforms; it's about safeguarding the mind from the relentless barrage of content designed to captivate, addict, and, often, corrupt.
First, let's address the elephant in the room: mental health. The correlation between social media use and the rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people is not coincidental. The algorithms of social media are sophisticated, designed not to educate or uplift but to ensnare users in a cycle of engagement for profit. This is digital dopamine, a virtual drug that our children are unwittingly addicted to from an age when their brains are still forming critical neural pathways.
Numerous studies have quantified the alarming impact of social media on youth mental health. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teenagers who spent more than three hours a day on social media were 60 percent more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to their peers who spent less time online (Hertz et al., 2020). Furthermore, a 2019 report by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) revealed that Instagram ...