SOCIAL MEDIA PUTTING AMERICA'S CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AT A PROFOUND RISK OF HARM
Social media has been a part of our lives for more than a decade now. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, interact, and share information. However, as with any new technology, there are risks associated with it. And according to the United States surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, social media can be a "profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children."
Now, before you start deleting all your social media accounts, let's take a deep dive into what the surgeon general's advisory really means.
Firstly, it's important to note that this is the first time a surgeon general has issued an advisory warning about the risks of social media. This means that the issue is serious and needs to be addressed. The advisory cites research that suggests social media use can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and decreased self-esteem in young people. That's a lot of negative effects for something that is supposed to connect us.
But it's not just about mental health. Social media can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and other forms of online harassment. This is a serious issue, and one that needs to be addressed by social media companies. It's not enough to simply have policies in place; they need to be enforced and effective.
Another issue highlighted by the advisory is that social media can be addictive. This is something that we all know, but it's important to recognize that young people are particularly vulnerable to this. And when you're addicted to something, you're more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as sexting and substance abuse.
So, what can we do about this? The surgeon general's advisory calls for more research on the impact of social media on young people's mental health and well-being. It also calls for social media companies to take steps to protect young people from harm, such as developing more effective tools to prevent cyberbullying and providing more educational resources about the risks of social media use.
But we can't just rely on social media companies to fix the problem. As parents, educators, and policymakers, we need to take action too. Here are some tips on how to help young people use social media safely and responsibly:
1. Talk to your children about the risks of social media use. Don't just assume that they know what's safe and what's not.
2. Set limits on how much time your children can spend on social media. This will help prevent addiction and ensure that they're spending their time in more productive ways.
3. Monitor your children's social media activity. This doesn't mean spying on them, but rather being aware of what they're doing online and who they're interacting with.
4. Teach your children about cyberbullying and how to report it. Make sure they know that they can come to you if they ever feel threatened or harassed online.
5. Encourage your children to be critical of the information they see on social media. Not everything on the internet is true, and it's important to teach young people how to spot fake news and misinformation.
6. Help your children develop positive self-esteem. This is key to preventing the negative effects of social media on mental health.
In conclusion, social media can be a powerful force for good, but it can also be a powerful force for harm. It's up to all of us to ensure that young people are using social media in a way that is safe and beneficial. So, let's work together to make sure that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the digital world.
Social Media Can Be a ‘Profound Risk’ to Youth, Surgeon General Warns https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/well/family/social-media-mental-health-surgeon-general.html?smid=tw-share
