Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick calls for social media ban for kids under 16: ‘Hit the tipping point’

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. — Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick made a bold call Wednesday to ban children younger than age 16 from using social-media platforms.

“I think we’ve hit the tipping point, where what’s happening to our kids as a consequence of social media has long-term consequences that undermine their ability to be great citizens,” McCormick said. “It seemed to me a reasonable step to, just like we limit cigarettes and alcohol, certain types of guns. . . . Let’s limit access to social media.”

McCormick made a bold call Wednesday to ban children younger than age 16 from using social-media platforms. Carson Swick

McCormick made the comments during the fourth leg of his “Building America’s Future” tour, in Delaware County.

The Republican candidate, who’s challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, spoke about his “Strengthening Pennsylvania Families” agenda and held a brief panel discussion with conservative commentator, author and podcaster Mary Katherine Ham.

McCormick did not explicitly say he or the federal government would enforce such a ban if enacted.

This is a developing story.