Alderman proposes holding social media apps accountable for public safety
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Chicago lawmakers are working, yet again, to end "teen takeovers" by pursuing a revived curfew and policies to hold social media platforms accountable.
Why it matters: These takeovers have become an ongoing issue in recent years, often resulting in property destruction, violence and deaths.
Driving the news: Ald. William E. Hall (6th) plans to introduce a proposal that would require online platforms (such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat) to flag when teens are planning disorderly gatherings.
- Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) is revisiting his "snap curfew," which Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed this year. The proposal would subject minors to a curfew put in place by police with as little as 30 minutes' notice.
Catch up quick: Following this year's tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Park, several people were injured and one 14-year-old was shot and killed after large crowds of teens gathered along State Street.
- Before the event, social media posts circulated promoting a "teen takeover" at the ceremony.
- After the incident, Johnson told ABC 7 he had been made aware of the online threats and, as a result, put an extra 700 police officers and additional community violence intervention workers in place.
What they're saying: Hall says the urgency to protect kids is his motivation for the ordinance, and while he is open to other suggestions by his colleagues in the City Council, he thinks the city should use the resources it has now.
- "Cyber crimes are just as important to prevent as someone on the street with a gun. [They're] a part in this mayhem," Hall told Axios.
How it works: The proposal would impose a fine on social media companies that break their own community safety guidelines.
- Once the Chicago Police Department receives a possible threat and notifies a social media platform with the information, the online platform would have six hours to comply with their safety guidelines by removing any account that is circulating the threat.
- If they choose not to remove or restrict the content, the platform would need to provide the city with a written justification explaining why the content does not promote a reasonably foreseeable danger to public safety.
- If platform officials do not remove or otherwise disable public visibility of the threat — or provide justification for not doing so — they would be fined $50,000 with possible additional fines.
The other side: Mayor Johnson has consistently opposed the earlier curfew for teens and noted that "the [State Street] incidents took place prior to any curfew violation."
What's next: Hall's ordinance is expected to be filed at the next City Council meeting on Dec. 10.