Over the past decade, social media has evolved from a form of entertainment into one of the most influential forces in American life. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X have completely altered how people consume news, interact socially and participate politically. 

However, as social media use has skyrocketed, especially among young people, its effects have fueled a growing debate over government regulation and corporate responsibility.

In past years, researchers have pointed to a spate of a potential ramifications of heightened social media use on our psyche, claiming it can foster poor mental health, political extremism and social anxiety.

And the blame – for the most part – is being heaped on the creators of platforms themselves. Apps like Meta, TikTok and X have been slapped with a slew of lawsuits alleging social media is designed to turn users into addicts.

This year, a California jury found Meta and Youtube liable for a negligent algorithmic design that contributed to a teen’s depression. New York City has sued a handful of prominent apps for sparking a mental health crisis. New Mexico is currently suing Meta for $3.7 billion in damages, claiming the company has misled the public when disclosing the safety of its platforms.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Legal action – spearheaded by both states and individuals – against social media giants has ramped up significantly in recent years, especially as legislative action tackling the issue has stalled.

But that doesn’t mean laws curbing use aren’t out there. Here is a timeline of what legislators have done in the past two decades to protect children from the evolving online world:

In a time of extreme political polarization, the controversy surrounding social media legislation has been inextricably linked to debates over free speech. Some prominent platforms – such as X and Meta – have been accused of not doing enough to moderate content and keep hate and misinformation off their feeds.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 60% of Americans believe tech companies have a responsibility to restrict false or harmful information shared on their sites.

However, public opinion on social media – like most issues – remains divided. Some feel allowing tech companies or the government to restrict certain content could threaten freedom of expression. Others feel platforms have not gone nearly far enough to stop the spread of conspiracy theories and hateful content to young people’s screens.