Attorney General Josh Stein Hosts Town Hall on Youth Online Safety in Buncombe County

Event Aimed at Helping Youth and Parents Navigate the Digital World

Asheville, NC – In a move designed to promote online safety and better understanding of digital dynamics among youth, NC Attorney General Josh Stein extended an invitation to the Buncombe County community for a unique Social Media Town Hall. The event, slated to happen on February 27, will bring together parents, caregivers, teachers, students, and administrators to discuss youth participation in social media.

Addressing the Digital Balance

As a platform that has significantly transformed interaction among young people, social media’s influence is undisputed. Attorney General Stein said, “Too much of anything can be harmful, especially when it comes to social media. I am looking forward to hearing from community members in Buncombe County so my office can help keep young people safe online.”

The initiative aims to facilitate discussions on how to balance online and offline experiences to ensure the digital footprint young users leave behind is empowering rather than harmful.

Impact on Mental Health and Wellbeing

Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools, Dr. Rob Jackson, highlighted the challenges that excessive use of social media can create for the young generation, such as eating disorders, peer pressure, bullying, depression, and substance misuse. “I am looking forward to this chance to connect and learn from each other as we work to protect our young people online,” he added.

Particularly, an increased amount of time online has been linked to mental health issues and raised self-harm and suicide risks. Additionally, exposure to explicit and disturbing content can warp youngsters’ understanding of healthy relationships.

Steps Toward a Safer Digital Experience

Attorney General Stein stressed the significance of carefully navigating the digital landscape to promote healthy virtual interactions integrated with real-world connections. He also mentioned his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children online, as depicted in his past efforts where he, alongside 41 bipartisan attorneys general, sued Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram.

The event will provide an overview of ongoing investigations into whether social media platforms have violated consumer protection laws by marketing and promoting their potentially addictive and dangerous services to young users.

Buncombe Town Hall: A Step to Positive Digital Citizenship

The Buncombe Town Hall will be held at the Buncombe County Board of Education at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville. Individuals interested in being part of this crucial discussion are advised to RSVP at outreach@ncdoj.gov. Further information regarding the office’s ongoing efforts to protect kids online is available at www.ncdoj.gov/internetsafety.

As young individuals increasingly interact with the digital world, promoting positive digital citizenship becomes a community responsibility. Are we prepared to take on the challenge? Asheville City Schools superintendent, Dr. Maggie Fehrman thinks so. She notes, “This balance is essential for fostering positive digital citizenship and ensuring that online experiences contribute positively to personal growth and societal well-being.”

While the digital age presents daunting challenges, platforms such as the Social Media Town Hall spearheaded by Attorney General Stein provideopportunities for the community to come together, sharing insights and solutions to create a safer online environment for the wellbeing of their young ones.