In an essay published in The New York Times, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy urged Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms to warn about the mental health harms associated with use. “The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor,” he wrote.
While many of us are wary about government guidance on anything health-related, parents and grandparents would be wise to take notice and research this topic. We’ve known for quite some time about the negative impact of social media on mental health, especially for young people. For example:
Increased risk of mental health problems: Studies have shown that teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media are at double the risk of experiencing depression and anxiety.
Body image issues: Social media can be a breeding ground for unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem, particularly among adolescent girls. In recent years, we’ve seen certain identities and behaviors balloon among teenagers and young adults, a phenomenon called “social contagion.” It seems that identifying as a letter from the LGBTQ+ spectrum is now considered “trendy” or “cool” by many influencers.
Exposure to lies and wickedness: Social media can expose young minds to ungodly/worldly philosophies, deceptions, pornography, and other pernicious material, which can take a toll on mental well-being and lead to unhealthy/sinful behaviors and attitudes.
Sleep disruption: Spending too much time scrolling through feeds can interfere with sleep quality, further worsening mental health struggles.
These are among the many reasons why technology industry leaders severely limit screen time for their own children! For more information, click HERE and HERE.
