Freeing Our Children from the Harm of Social Media
Briefly

Freeing Our Children from the Harm of Social Media
"A California jury found Meta and Google liable for deliberately making apps addictive, undermining the mental health of children and teenagers. Psychologist Jonathan Haidt attributes the rise in anxiety and depression among young people to extensive social media use, noting that mental illness increased when children began using smartphones in the early 2010s."
"Substituting social media for in-person interactions compromises young people's emotional and intellectual development. The constant use of personal electronics affects students' ability to focus, connect with their fellow students, and engage in authentic learning."
"Gloria DeGaetano warns that our industry-generated culture has been programming children with addictive media stimulation, undermining their healthy development. After examining 60 years of research, she concludes that various forms of media, including smartphones, have detrimental effects on youth."
Recent lawsuits have established that social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are addictive, leading to increased anxiety and depression among youth. The rise in mental illness correlates with the early 2010s when smartphone usage became prevalent. Experts emphasize the negative impact of substituting online interactions for real-life connections, which hinders emotional and intellectual growth. Recommendations include raising the age for internet use to 16 and implementing phone-free school environments to mitigate these issues.
Read at Psychology Today
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