Warning: Social Media May Not Be Good for You

By Christina P. Hooton

If you’ve ever spent time on social media, you know it can be a powerful tool to connect people, but that it also has the potential to be harmful. The United States Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, MD, recently issued an advisory warning about the detrimental effects of social media on young people’s mental health.

A Public Health Crisis

According to Dr. Murthy’s report, “Social Media and Youth Mental Health,” 95 percent of young people aged 13 to 17 reported using a social media platform, and more than a third said they use social media “almost constantly.” The report also states that not enough research has been conducted to understand the full impact of social media on children and adolescents.

One of the critical factors to consider when assessing the influence of social media on young people is brain development. From ages 10 to 19, adolescents are still forming their identities and cementing their self-worth. This is a highly sensitive period during which they are especially susceptible to peer opinions and comparison. A study cited in the report found adolescents who spent more than three hours per day on social media had double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Additionally, on these platforms, young people can easily access extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content, such as live depictions of self-harm or racist content or language. Social media can also perpetuate body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and low self-esteem. Forty-six percent of adolescents aged 13 to 17 said social media made them feel worse about their body image.

Despite the potential harm social media can inflict, the report cited some benefits. Fifty-eight percent of adolescents stated that social media makes them feel more accepted. They also said it’s a place where they can show their creative side, and stay in touch with friends.

Our Collective Responsibility

The surgeon general is calling on technology companies to be more transparent about the impact their products have on children and prioritize health and safety when it comes to platform design. At the same time, he is urging policymakers to implement stronger safety standards and better protect children’s privacy.   

Parents and children can establish tech-free zones and limit time on platforms, allowing for more in-person interactions at home. They can also block unwanted content, be careful about sharing personal information, report inappropriate content, and reach out to friends they see being bullied online.

Ultimately, there is too much at stake to wait for the research to catch up. Encouraging young people to make healthy choices when using with social media will benefit them now and in the future.