Methuen Leads the Way on Youth Social Media Safety

METHUEN — In a first for the region, the Methuen City Council on Monday night unanimously adopted a resolution supporting a comprehensive local initiative to protect youth under 16 from the dangers of social media.

The Resolution Regarding Social Media Safety for Youth Under Age 16, introduced by Mayor D.J. Beauregard and supported by Councilors Ryan DiZoglio, John Drew, Ella MacLaren, Jana Zanni Pesce, and Patricia Valley, documents the growing body of research outlining the risks social media poses to children and establishes a framework for local action.

Excessive social media use among children under 16 has been linked to mental health challenges, sleep disruption, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on academic and social development, according to research cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Studies also show that engagement-driven algorithms can intensify anxiety, depression, and other harms among young users.

Methuen’s action comes as a global movement gains momentum. Countries such as Australia have enacted protections restricting youth access to social media, and democratic governments across Europe and Asia are advancing similar policies. While federal action in the United States has yet to materialize, Methuen is taking responsible steps at the local level.

Under the framework adopted Monday night:

• City-owned devices and networks in City buildings and City-run youth programs will limit access to social media for minors under 16 whenever feasible.
• The Mayor’s Office, in coordination with the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force and local health and youth service providers, will launch a parent toolkit and community workshops focused on managing children’s social media use. Educational materials will be distributed through the Methuen Public Schools district, at the Nevins Library, and at City events.
• The Mayor’s Office will commission an annual study examining social media use among Methuen youth and its impacts on mental health, social development, and academic performance, with findings presented publicly to the City Council.

The Council also formally endorsed Mayor Beauregard’s commitment to advocate for state and federal policies that restrict social media access for children under 16 and strengthen youth digital safety protections nationwide.

“We hear from parents and educators who are deeply concerned about the role social media is playing in the lives of young people,” said Mayor Beauregard. “While broader regulation will ultimately require action at the state and federal levels, we are not powerless at the local level. Methuen can lead by limiting exposure in City settings, supporting parents with practical tools, studying the data, and pushing for broader reform.”

With this unanimous vote, Methuen positions itself at the forefront of municipal leadership on youth digital safety in the United States.