The time has finally come when the doctors and lawyers agree that social media is bad for you and especially your child’s mind. What am I taking about? Social Media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and all the others. These websites are home to so-called influencers and algorithms that screw with your child’s mind and make them believe they’re not pretty enough, not smart enough, not cool enough, don’t wear the right clothes or jewelry, don’t shop in the right stores or drive the coolest car or just not part of whats happening. These thoughts are dangerous especially to young teens and children. Social media has become a recognized danger.
Now a coalition of 42 state and territory attorneys general have decided to do something. They have joined together to call upon Congress to pass regulation requiring warning labels on social media platforms. Yeah, just like cigarettes. In a letter on Monday, the attorneys general wrote that the warning labels will bring attention to the “inherent risks” social platforms pose to children.
We live in a world where the internet, in particular, social media has an outsized influence on your child and of those who use it or, in some cases, are addicted to it. Its not a healthy place for the young mind. Teens are naturally insecure and never think they are good enough or cool like other kids. Social media just makes these feelings worse. And its nothing but bad news for parents.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy first proposed the warning labels in June as part of a plan to head off a “mental health crisis” affecting young people. Thirty-nine other state AGs as well as the attorneys general of American Samoa, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands agreed and signed on.
The letter points out research showing social media is linked to anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in young people. Other studies suggest social platforms disrupt children’s sleep with “irresistible algorithmic recommendations, infinite scrolling, and a constant stream of notifications” to keep them “relentlessly engaged on the platform.” The proposed surgeon general warning label would be similar to the ones already used on alcohol and tobacco products. What the studies are saying is that social media is addictive, That you get hooked on it like cocaine or heroin. And that it fucks with your mind the same way. You can’t sleep. You don’t feel right without it and you must have a regular dose to function normally. That’s addiction.
Let’s understand this. Facebook, TikTok and Instagram and others are guilty of creating this electronically addictive behavior. These companies spend billions of dollars on techniques, content and algorithms to keep the teen engaged because that’s how they make money. They push this onto young people like any drug dealer. They suck as much information from them as possible and they promote influencers that give children ideas about how they should live and what they should look like. This is extremely dangerous. Self image, self esteem and lifestyles are based on what these teens see on social media. That’s not good.
“A surgeon general’s warning on social media platforms, though not sufficient to address the full scope of the problem, would be one consequential step toward mitigating the risk of harm to youth,” the attorneys general said. “We urge Congress to consider such measures and continue the search for innovative solutions to protect our children in the face of emerging technologies.”
What is Social Media Addition?
Like any addiction, social media addiction is real and equally troublesome. If your teen can’t get to sleep at night because they’re under the covers with their smartphone or tablet on TikTok or Instagram you may have an addict on your hands.
Behavioral addictions, including using social media screws with teen brains in harmful ways. Young people may use social media compulsively, excessively and without restraint. That’s an addiction. You may notice they are absent even when sitting in the same room with them. That’s an addiction. They can’t help themselves. Its become their life. They become so accustomed to scrolling through posts, images, and videos that it interferes with other areas of their life, like eating, socializing and school. That’s an addiction.
What is the impact of social media addiction on the teen mind and life?
- Low self-esteem, which may be prompted by incorrect perceptions that others’ lives are “better” than yours
- Increased isolation and loneliness
- Anxiety or depression
- Onset of social anxiety disorder
- A fear of missing out (FOMO), which can lead to even more social media usage
- Disrupted sleep patterns, especially if you use social media right before bedtime
- Decreased physical activity, which may affect your overall health
- Poor grades or work performance
- Ignoring the relationships in your “real” life
- Reduced ability to empathize with others.
Now you now.
