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The statistics are sobering. Almost one in three teenage girls reports seriously considering suicide in the past year. She said one in five of her teenage girlfriends who identify as LGBTQ+ said they had attempted suicide at the time. Between 2009 and her 2019, depression rates among all teenagers were twice as high as hers.and it is in front The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The question is: why now??
“Our brains, bodies, and societies have evolved together to shape human development for thousands of years.…Within the past two decades, portable technology and social media platforms have emerged . [has been] “We are changing something that took 60,000 years to evolve,” Mitch Prinstein, chief scientific officer of the American Psychological Association (APA), told the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. “We are only beginning to understand what the potential is for it to give.”
Mr. Prinstein’s 22-page testimony, along with dozens of helpful footnotes, provides much-needed clarity about the role social media plays in contributing to this teen mental health crisis. He has compiled 10 helpful points for busy parents, caregivers, and educators.
1. Social interaction is key to every child’s growth and development.
Humans are social creatures and learn through social interactions. In fact, Professor Prinstein says, “Many studies have shown that children’s interactions with their peers affect their occupational status, pay, relationship success, emotional development, mental health, and even physical health.” “These effects are stronger than those of children’s IQ, socio-economic status, and educational attainment.”
This helps explain why social media platforms have grown so much in a relatively short period of time.But what they do provide is a kind of social interaction health?
2. The wrong kinds of social interactions often take place on social media platforms.
What’s the right kind? According to Prinstein, it’s “characterized by support, emotional intimacy, disclosure, positive regard, reliable alliances (e.g., ‘supporting each other’), and trust.” ” It is about interaction and relationship building.
The problem is that social media platforms often (though not always) focus on metrics over information. human Behind the likes and followers, teens can end up posting things about themselves, whether true or not, in hopes of getting the most attention. there is. And these cycles, Prinstein warned, “create the exact opposite qualities necessary for successful, adaptive relationships.” [they are] dishonest, anonymous, impersonal). In other words, social media provides “empty calories of social interaction” that seem to help meet our biological and psychological needs, but lack the healthy calories needed to reap the benefits. Contains no ingredients at all. ”
In fact, research has found that social media can make some teens feel more alone.
3. It’s not all bad.
APA’s chief scientific officer also made it clear that both social media and its research are too early to reach many conclusions with absolute certainty. In fact, when used properly, social media can meet teens’ need for social connection in a healthy way.
“Research shows that young people form and maintain friendships online. These relationships often provide opportunities to interact with a more diverse peer group than offline, and these relationships are more intimate. is meaningful and provides important support to young people in times of stress.”
Additionally, Prinstein notes that for many marginalized teens, “digital platforms provide an important space for self-discovery and expression,” and provide meaningful support that can buffer and protect them from the effects of stress. He pointed out that this could be useful in building strong relationships.
4. Adolescence is a “developmentally vulnerable period” when children seek social rewards but lack the ability to control themselves.
It suggests that as children enter adolescence, areas of the brain “associated with craving for ‘social rewards’ such as attention, attention, and positive feedback from peers” become “involved in our performance.” This is because they tend to develop much earlier than parts of the brain. “It’s about controlling our behavior and resisting temptation,” Prinstein said. Social media platforms that give teens “likes” and new “followers” can trigger and satisfy that desire.
5. “Likes” can make bad behavior look good.
Hollywood has long grappled with groups of parents concerned that violent or overly sexualized movies can negatively influence the behavior of their teens. Well, similar concerns about teenagers witnessing malicious behavior on social media may be well-founded. But it’s complicated. Check this:
“For example, studies examining the brains of adolescents using simulated social media sites show activation of the prefrontal cortex when exposed to illegal and dangerous images, suggesting healthy inhibition of maladaptive behavior. ,” Prinstein told lawmakers.
So, that’s fine. The prefrontal cortex helps us make wise (and safe) decisions. Long live the prefrontal cortex! Here’s the problem.
When teenagers see similar illegal or dangerous behavior on social media, along with icons that suggest that the negative content has been liked by others, it can help keep us safe. The part of the brain that protects the body also stops working, Prinstein said. Likes may reduce young people’s inhibitions (i.e., perhaps increase their propensity) for risky and illegal behavior. ”
In other words, bad behavior feels unpleasant until other people like it.
6. Social media can make “mentally disordered behavior” look better.
Prinstein spoke specifically about websites and online accounts that promote eating disorders and non-suicidal self-harm behaviors such as self-cutting.
“Research shows that this content proliferates on social media sites, not only depicting these behaviors but also teaching young people how to engage. [them], how to hide these behaviors from adults, how to actively encourage users to engage in these behaviors, and how to socially sanction those who wish to engage in less risky behaviors. ”
7. Extreme social media use is a lot like addiction.
“The areas of the brain activated by social media use overlap significantly with the areas involved in addiction to illegal and dangerous substances,” Prinstein told lawmakers.
He cited a body of research showing that excessive use of social media in teenagers often has symptoms similar to traditional addiction, in part because the teenage brain One reason for this is that children lack the self-control toolbox that adults do.
8. The threat of online bullying is real.
“Victimization, harassment, and discrimination against racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual minorities is common online, and young people are often targeted,” Prinstein told lawmakers. .LGBTQ+ youth face increased levels of bullying, intimidation and self-harm on social media.”
Online bullying can also be physically damaging, Prinstein said, adding, “Brain scans of adults and adolescents show that online harassment activates the same areas of the brain that respond to physical pain, and “It has been shown to trigger a series of reactions that recreate the assault and cause physical pain.” Damage to mental health. ”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Young people who report involvement in bullying behavior are more likely to report higher levels of suicide-related behaviors than youth who do not report involvement in bullying behavior.”
Earlier this month, a 14-year-old New Jersey girl took her own life after being attacked by other students at school, and a video of the assault was posted on social media.
9. I can’t help but compare myself to what I see on social media.
Even adults can feel it. We go on social media sites and compare ourselves to others, from the sunset in our vacation photos to our waistlines.but especially Our waistlines, how we look and feel. should Look, based on who gets likes and who doesn’t. For teenagers, the impact of such comparisons can be even greater.
“Psychological science has shown that exposure to this online content is associated with poor self-image and distorted body perceptions in young people. This exposure is associated with eating disorders, unhealthy weight management behaviors, It creates a strong risk factor for depression,” Prinstein testified.
10. Sleep is more important than “like”.
Research shows that more than half of adolescents look at screens right before bed, which can be preventing them from getting the sleep they need. Not only does sleep deprivation lead to all sorts of negative aspects, including poor mental health, lower academic performance, and difficulty regulating stress, but “an irregular sleep schedule can impair the structural development of the brain during adolescence.” It has to do with change,” Prinstein said. Young people’s preoccupation with technology and social media can negatively impact brain size. ”
Edited by: nicole coen
Visual design and developer: LA Johnson