Social media should require ID verification and set an age limit of 16 for account creation, similar to rules for drinking, smoking, and gambling. When people hide behind aliases online, they often engage in harmful behavior without accountability. Requiring ID would make social media more like a town square, where people are responsible for what they say in public.
An age limit of 16 is crucial, as social media has been linked to rising depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in teens, who are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying and unrealistic body standards. Verifying users and setting age restrictions would make social media safer and healthier, with real-world accountability.