The Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the Texas Pediatric Society have addressed a committee of the Texas Legislature, emphasizing the need for policies that ensure safe technology use among young people and limit data mining of minors' information. The organizations highlighted concerns about social media addiction, which can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.

Dr. Lindy McGee, a Houston pediatrician and chair of TMA’s Committee on Child and Adolescent Health, testified at the hearing. She said, "I have patients with poor school performance because they are up all night on their phones." Dr. McGee pointed out that algorithms could expose children to harmful content, sharing an example of a patient who developed an eating disorder due to social media influence.

The physician groups support national efforts to curb manipulative social media practices. They suggest public education on healthy technology use, making social media less addictive by regulating algorithms for minors, and allowing researchers access to data on these algorithms.

Dr. McGee stressed the importance of addressing algorithmic influences, noting that they amplify harmful content based on user patterns. "My patient who started out searching for healthy eating tips ended up on an algorithm which pushed disordered eating," she said.

With increasing youth mental health concerns in the U.S., Dr. McGee urged swift action to protect children from harm. This hearing comes ahead of the 89th session of the Texas Legislature starting January 14.

TMA is noted as the largest state medical society in the nation, representing over 57,000 members including physicians and medical students.