No social media before 16

For many parents, concerns about social media are not new. But we’re now seeing increased attention at a national level, too. In a New York Times Op Ed of June 2024, the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy said he would urge Congress to require a warning that social media use can harm teenagers’ mental health.

“Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the average daily use in this age group, as of the summer of 2023, was 4.8 hours.”

- Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General

Exposure to Social Media

In his book, Jonathan Haidt emphasizes that the adolescent brain, particularly before the age of 16, is still undergoing significant development, especially in areas related to emotional regulation, impulse control, and risk assessment. Exposure to social media before this age can be overwhelming and detrimental due to the below factors.

  • Emotional Vulnerability

    Adolescents are more prone to emotional reactivity and may struggle to cope with the intense emotions triggered by social media, such as envy, jealousy, and social anxiety.

  • Social Comparison

    Young teens are highly sensitive to peer approval and social status, and social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy and insecurity through constant comparison with others' carefully curated online personas.

  • Impulse Control

    The developing prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control and decision-making, is not fully mature in adolescents.

    This makes them more susceptible to impulsive behaviors like cyberbullying or engaging in risky online interactions.

  • Addiction Potential

    The reward-based algorithms of social media platforms can be particularly addictive for young people, leading to excessive use that interferes with sleep, schoolwork, and real-life relationships.

Cooperation

We don’t need to wait for Congress to take action. By joining together as a community, we can limit our kids’ social media access until an appropriate age and also ensure they feel a part of their peer community.