It may be time to encourage children to be a little “antisocial.”
The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory warning about the serious impacts social media can have on young people’s mental health and well-being.
Ninety-five percent of children between the ages of 13 and 17 use social media, one-third of them reporting they do so almost constantly.
Studies indicate correlations between depression, anxiety and social media use at all age levels. Social media can expose children and teenagers to inappropriate sexual content. Online bullying is a danger. Constant comparison to others can contribute to body image issues and eating disorders. And there’s FOMO [foh-moh], or fear of missing out. We’ve all seen vacation pics that make us resent our friends.
And while notifications, infinite scrolling and suggested content keep users engaged, too much exposure can overstimulate the brain’s reward center, causing changes that look a lot like addiction.
Social media can, of course, have positive impacts. Marginalized youth can find crucial social support systems online and an increased sense of identity.
Ultimately, the warning noted there is simply not enough evidence to show social media is safe for children and adolescents. It calls for stronger safety standards, increased data transparency and making health and safety a priority at the design stage.
But parents and caregivers can help reduce social media’s potential harm. Create a family media plan, encourage tech-free zones and in-person friendships. Why not set an example and take your own social media break?