Social media could harm youth mental health US Surgeon General warns World News
Reuters
May 24, 2023
A blue verification badge and the logos of Facebook and Instagram are seen in this picture illustration taken, on Jan 19, 2023.
PHOTO: Reuters
Social media can profoundly harm the mental health of youth, particularly adolescent girls, the US Surgeon General warned in an advisory on Tuesday (May 23) and he called for safeguards from tech companies for children who are at critical stages of brain development.
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said that while social media offers some benefits, there are "ample indicators that
social media could also harm
children's well-being."
"We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis - one that we must urgently address," Murthy said.
Social media use may cause and perpetuate body image issues, affect eating behaviors and sleep quality, and lead to social comparison and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls, the advisory said, citing responses from a survey conducted among adolescents.
Adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to the advisory.
Most adolescents say social media helps them feel more accepted, more supported during tough times, more connected to their friends, and more creative, the advisory also said.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 5:21 am