HUNTSVILLE LIVING | DECEMBER 2024 | 19
media is harmful to young people . In 2024 , Dr . Murthy called for a surgeon general ’ s warning label on social media not unlike the warnings on cigarette packages .
How might social media affect children ’ s mental health ? Here are some of the main concerns .
— Changes in a developing brain : According to the Surgeon General ’ s report , children ’ s brains go through a highly sensitive period of development between the ages of 10 and 19 , when feelings of self-worth are forming . Frequent social media use may affect these feelings as children compare themselves to others they see online . In addition , functions like emotional learning , impulse control and emotional regulation may be affected .
— Development of depression : Johns Hopkins Medicine says research has demonstrated there are high rates of depression attributed to very low social media use and very high social media use . Finding a healthy balance might not be as easy as it seems .
— Addiction : There is some evidence that children become addicted to checking social media , which can lead to addiction-like behaviors in other areas . According to The Addiction Center , a Web-based substance abuse resource , addiction to social media is driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on that impairs other important areas of life . Fear of missing out ( FOMO ) is another threat to kids ’ mental health .
— Low self-esteem issues . Children and teenagers who compare themselves to others ’ s carefully curated online profiles ( which usually are not telling the whole story ) can develop feelings of inadequacy and body image issues .
— Exposure to inappropriate content . Social media may introduce children to content and images that are not appropriate for their age levels and capacity to understand and interpret . According to Dr . Murthy ’ s report , deaths have been linked to suicide- and self-harm-related content , such as risk-taking challenges or asphyxiation content . Viewing this content normalizes these behaviors for some youngsters .
Although plenty of good can come from social media , parents are urged to exercise caution when giving children access to these platforms , which can affect kids ’ mental health in negative ways .
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | DECEMBER 2024 | 19