Well, it’s been a big few weeks for Big Tech—specifically the large social media companies. The Surgeon General issued an advisory about social media and teen mental health, echoing the comments he’s made previously in interviews. The advisory sums up what we know about the risks and benefits of social media for younger users. Here’s the main takeaway: we don’t have enough evidence to show that social media is safe for kids. And there is increasing evidence that it can be harmful to developing brains.
The Surgeon General says that, in light of the ongoing youth mental health crisis, we can no longer ignore the possibility that social media is playing a role in our kids’ declining wellness. Because this is an official advisory from the top doctor in the United States, it carries weight. This puts social media companies on blast and raises the stakes for regulators. But otherwise, there isn’t really anything groundbreaking in the advisory.
If you’re a parent, you’re probably not surprised by anything in this report. We already know that social media can be a source of drama, anxiety and compulsion for our kids. In fact, most of the adults I know have a complicated relationship with their social feeds. The endless scroll of content can sometimes make you feel bad even when you’re a grown-up with a fully-developed brain.
Of course, some researchers like to point out that the evidence isn’t conclusive. The studies point to a correlation between social media and worsening mental health—but not causation. While some experts say social media is worse than heroin, others say it’s as harmless as a potato. But the Surgeon General is joining a chorus of voices arguing that we can’t afford to wait and see. We know enough about social media to use our own common sense. If you look at the concerns raised in the advisory, it’s obvious that there’s the potential for harm to our children.
I know lots of people (myself included) that have been talking for years about the same dangers outlined by the Surgeon General. We know that children are exposed to extreme content on social media. In fact, platforms often amplify it in their endless pursuit of engagement, because outrage, violence and divisive rhetoric keep people scrolling. Social platforms are full of bad stuff, and kids run into it all the time. I’ve written about my own experience with harmful content when Dora the Explorer taught my daughter her first swear word.
We also know that social media can make us compare ourselves to others—and contribute to feelings of body dissatisfaction. This is especially true for young girls, who are often served content that promotes eating disorders. I’ve written before about how Meta’s own internal research suggests Instagram can be toxic for teen girls.
And, we know that social media is one of the go-to places for predators to contact, groom and traffic children. And, a significant portion of children receive abuse, harassment or sexual solicitation from adults on these platforms, which I’ve written about here.
And, we know that social media has a tendency to stimulate the brain in a way similar to a slot machine. Notifications, likes and comments—these features give us a hit of dopamine and create a strong compulsion to keep us coming back for more. I’ve written about how tech companies exploit our brain chemistry here. And here. And here. I bet that many parents have seen firsthand how compelling these platforms are for kids. They will stay up into the wee hours of the night scrolling social media when left to their own devices. (Pardon the pun.)
Of course, there are also benefits to social media, and the Surgeon General points these out as well in his advisory. For lots of kids, it offers a space to connect with friends, share their activism and forge their identities. This is especially true for LGBTQ+ children. It’s just also true that there are lots of real ways that younger users can come to harm.
Parents know that we’ve been left to fend for ourselves when it comes to kids and technology. I felt this when my daughter first asked to join Facebook Messenger Kids. I took one look at the product and decided I didn’t want her anywhere near it. That’s why I started my own company and wrote a book to help other parents navigate this technological minefield.
It’s no doubt alarming for parents to hear an advisory like this from the Surgeon General, especially since one-third of teens are on social media “almost constantly.” But there are ways that you can mitigate the risks for your children. Reply to my newsletter, and I’ll send you a copy of my book Screen Captured for free. Until regulators and tech companies step up, parents need to look out for each other.
A deeper dive
Here are a few helpful resources in case you want to really dig into today's topic:
The same day the Surgeon General released his advisory on social media, he also published an opinion piece in the Washington Post. In it, he says the number one question he gets from parents is whether social media is safe for their kids. And, he’s officially on the record now saying that he can’t say with certainty that it is safe. Check out his thoughts here.
One of the most popular platforms for teens is TikTok, and this platform has been in the news lately for pushing younger users toward troubling content. This Wall Street Journal article takes a look at the videos kids discover on their For You feeds, which include self-harm, sad-posting and eating disorders.
TL;DR
Too long; didn't read. It shouldn't be a full-time job to keep up on industry news, so here is a mercifully quick summary of some other notable developments:
Speaking of dangerous content on TikTok, there’s a new and troubling viral challenge where users film themselves entering a stranger’s home. Given recent events in the United States where innocent people have lost their lives for knocking on the wrong door or turning into the wrong driveway, this is an extremely dangerous challenge.
These viral challenges can have tragic consequences, like this teenager who wound up in hospital with serious burns after attempting to spray a can of spray paint into a lighter. This kind of content is particularly dangerous for teens because they are pre-disposed to risk-taking behavior while their brains are still developing.
And lastly
Here are a few more pieces of original writing from me and my team—just in case you're keen for more:
It’s a helpless feeling when your kid sees something disturbing online, but unfortunately, it’s all too common. My team put together a guide here with some helpful suggestions on what to do if your child comes across something upsetting.
When faced with blowback, social platforms often make a few small changes in an effort to look proactive about child safety. TikTok recently added time limits, but they’re really more like suggestions. Learn more here.