The social media experiment: Unveiling the risks to youth mental health
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy has sounded the alarm on the detrimental effects of social media on young people’s mental health. In a recent powerful public advisory, Murthy highlighted social media’s considerable risks, urging caution and calling attention to the lack of evidence regarding its safety for teenagers. Unfortunately, it is an experiment in which our youth have become unwitting participants.
“Nearly every teenager in America uses social media, and yet we do not have enough evidence to conclude that it is sufficiently safe for them,” Murthy wrote.
Murthy’s report delves into the impact of social media on the mental well-being of adolescents and children, examining both the positive and negative aspects and the associated health risks. Two categories of dangers are identified: content-related problems, such as negative self-image and cyberbullying, and use-related problems, including sleep disturbances and addiction.
Murthy says we cannot ignore the state of America’s youth mental health. San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge reported in just a decade, from 2011–2021, the number of teenagers and young adults diagnosed with clinical depression has doubled.
A new CDC study revealed that nearly a quarter of teenage girls had planned suicide in 2021. With these distressing statistics, many experts have turned their attention to social media as a potential contributing factor, considering the parallel rise of these platforms over the past decade.
According to Pew Research survey results, up to 95% of teens use at least one social media platform, with more than one-third using it “almost constantly.”
However, the precise influence of likes, retweets, and TikTok comments on the developing minds of young individuals remains largely enigmatic. While it is evident that social media use impacts adolescents and contributes to alarming rates of anxiety and depression, attempts to establish a direct causal relationship between social media and worsening mental health have yielded inconclusive results. Moreover, the impact of social media varies among individuals, with some groups, like adolescent girls, appearing to be more vulnerable than others.
In an interview with the New York Times, Murthy said “(adolescents) are not just smaller adults…(t)hey’re in a different phase of development, and they’re in a critical phase of brain development.”
As researchers diligently search for answers, some lawmakers are taking proactive steps by implementing restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media. Utah became the pioneer in this realm, becoming the first state to establish a curfew on social media apps for teens and requiring parents to have access to their children’s accounts. Montana followed suit not long after, banning TikTok in the state (though that is currently up in the air as, unsurprisingly suits quickly followed.) Other states are considering similar measures, recognizing the urgency of addressing this pressing issue.
The intersection of social media and the mental health crisis among young people demands our attention. While the surgeon general’s report sheds light on the risks associated with social media use, there is still much to learn and understand. As a society, we must grapple with the complexities and implications of this ongoing experiment. Striking a balance between the benefits and risks of social media engagement is crucial, ensuring that the well-being of our youth takes precedence.
In this age of rapid technological advancement, we must tread cautiously, armed with knowledge and understanding. We must strive to foster an environment where the potential harms of social media are mitigated while still harnessing its positive aspects. It is a delicate balance that requires collaboration between researchers, lawmakers, parents and the platforms themselves.
As we navigate this uncharted territory, the mental well-being of our youth must remain at the forefront of our efforts. By acknowledging the risks, taking proactive measures, and continuing to investigate the intricate relationship between social media and mental health, we can shape a future in which the kids are truly all right.
