U.S. Public Health Commissioner Vivek Mercy on Thursday warned that there isn’t enough evidence that social media is safe for children and young people, urging tech companies, parents and caregivers to “take immediate action now to protect children.” .
While young people’s use of social media is ubiquitous, its impact on mental health is not fully understood, Mercy said, urging tech companies to share data, increase transparency and prioritize users’ health and safety when designing products.
“Tech companies acknowledge that they have taken steps to make their platforms healthier and safer, but that alone is not enough,” Mercy said. Use social media. How can that be possible if the use rules are actually enforced?”
Regulations aimed at addressing children’s mental health concerns, such as banning children under the age of 13 from joining the platform, can easily be circumvented.
Companies are not ignorant of the harm their platforms cause. Mehta studied the impact of Instagram on the mental health of teens years ago and found that the peer pressure created by using Instagram can lead to mental health and body image problems, even eating disorders and extreme choice urges. An internal study found that 13.5% of teenage girls said that Instagram exacerbated their thoughts about extreme choices, and 17% said it exacerbated their eating disorders.
“There is not enough evidence to conclude that social media is safe enough for children,” Mercy said. It’s really important for parents to know this.”
He also said we need to address the harm of social media in the same way we regulate car seats, formula, drugs and other products used by children. He emphasized that holding them accountable is not fair.
He added that while more research is needed, there is ample evidence that social media poses a “serious risk” to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents, particularly the impact it can have on children’s brain development.
Studies have shown that, in fact, frequent use of social media can be associated with “distinct changes” in the developing brain and can increase sensitivity to social rewards and punishments. How often they use social media, as well as extreme, inappropriate and harmful content, can have a significant impact on the mental health of children and adolescents.
According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of 13-17-year-olds use social media platforms, and more than a third do so “almost constantly.” A review of 42 studies found “a consistent relationship between social media use and poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, sleep disturbances and depression in adolescents.
[AP/뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.