Parenting. That was my first thought when I learned about Meta’s settlement of allegations that both Facebook and Instagram harmed young teenagers by contributing to social media addiction.
I agree that Meta should absolutely be held accountable for how its apps are purposely designed to appeal to a younger audience. But I also think that there is another major factor alongside an app’s design: parenting.
In my AP Psychology class, I learned about nature (genes) and nurture (environment). Our behavior is influenced not just by our genes, but also by the environments around us. Smartphones can provide comfort, entertainment and community, but they cannot shape the environment where teenagers use them. That is the parent’s responsibility.
A 2024 study of more than 10,000 12- and 13-year-olds, and their parents found that parental monitoring and reasonable limits on screen use were associated with lower screen time and less problematic social-media use (Pediatric Research, 2024).
This conclusion does not mean that parents should constantly invade their children’s privacy to protect them. It means that they must have regular conversations with their child about what they experience online.
To reiterate, I am not calling for an act to sue parents (that is just silly), but I am calling for greater public emphasis that they must be involved in protecting their children online. Meta must be accountable for its products.
Parents must be accountable for parenting. Protecting teenagers online will require both.
Rhea Mae Bayan, Lane Technical High School
Use Flock responsibly
Cities, towns and colleges around the country are cutting ties with the controversial surveillance technology company Flock Safety. One of the major concerns is privacy and safety.
Keep in mind that if you are on a public way or expressway, you do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That being said, if a police officer uses Flock for nefarious purposes, that officer should be charged and/or terminated.
Flock claims it’s made changes to police forces to limit who can access the camera data. If those changes aren’t enough, then cancel the Flock contract. If used properly, Flock is a good crime-fighting tool for law enforcement. The data collected should not be stored forever.
Law enforcement agencies need to have strict guidelines on how any information is accessed on Flock, so it’s used only for investigative purposes only.
Richard Barber, Mount Greenwood
Release video gambling licenses
Across Chicago, small businesses are struggling to remain open amid rising operating costs and razor-thin profit margins.
This challenge is especially serious in North Lawndale, a community that has historically received less economic investment than many other neighborhoods. Nevertheless, our dedicated entrepreneurs continue seeking opportunities to grow, create jobs and serve the community.
As president and CEO of the Chi North Lawndale Chamber of Commerce, it is my responsibility to advocate for practical resources that can help these businesses succeed.
When the Chicago City Council authorized video gambling terminals, commonly known as VGTs, neighborhood restaurant and bar owners hoped the machines would provide supplemental revenue to help cover payroll, taxes, utilities, maintenance and other operating expenses.
However, qualified establishments are still waiting for the city’s licensing process to move forward.
For businesses in North Lawndale, this delay has serious financial consequences. Many establishments are already operating under significant pressure, and continued uncertainty makes it harder for them to plan, retain employees and keep their doors open.
VGT revenue could serve as a form of “economic gap insurance” — helping eligible businesses withstand rising costs, preserve neighborhood jobs and remain rooted in the communities they helped build.
We respectfully urge the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to move forward without further delay, establish a clear and transparent implementation process, and begin reviewing and issuing licenses to qualified establishments.
Chicago should ensure that neighborhood businesses have equitable access to the economic opportunities authorized by the City Council. Protecting the interests of a major casino operator should not come at the expense of the small restaurants and bars that employ local residents, contribute to neighborhood corridors and serve Chicago communities every day.
It is time to support our local businesses and move the VGT licensing process forward.
Denita Sanders, Chi North Lawndale Chamber of Commerce