Search engines and social media algorithms can expose youth to other types of cyberhate, such as racism. In fact, online algorithms often have structural racism and bias built into them in ways that white users are unaware of. In some cases, the algorithms themselves can churn out biased or racist content. TikTok, for example, has been criticized for recommending new accounts based on the appearance of people users already follow, which had the unintended effect of segregating the platform. In addition to these “algorithmic biases,” people of color are frequently exposed to what some researchers call “filter bias.” A common example is the beauty filters built into sites like Instagram and Snapchat, which can apply fairer skin, or more commonly white facial features, to users’ selfies.
Similar to microaggressions in our offline lives, online racism in the form of algorithmic and filter bias can negatively impact mental health, says Dr. Brendesha Tynes, professor of educational psychology at the University of Southern California and APA advisory board member. Stated. panel. In ongoing daily diary studies with adolescents, she finds evidence that those exposed to algorithmic and filter biases are at increased risk for next-day depression and anxiety symptoms.
“Even though I’m an adult who has researched these issues and has many strategies to protect myself, it can still be very difficult to deal with online racism,” she said. . Impulsive teens who don’t learn such strategies may experience even greater psychological impact from the racism they encounter every day on social media. “We are only beginning to understand the serious harms of online racism,” Tynes said. She added, “We need to support children of color and do everything in our power to help them cope with these experiences.”
Although technology has its drawbacks, there are also silver linings. Tynes found that Black youth receive valuable social support from other Black people on social media. These interactions help children learn to think critically about the racism they encounter. This is important because her research also shows that young people who are able to criticize racism experience less psychological distress when witnessing traumatic race-related events online (Youth Health JournalVol. 43, No. 6, 2008).
Tynes said more research is needed to understand how online racism affects young people and how best to protect them from it.
“Different groups have very different online experiences,” she says. “We need more detailed recommendations for specific groups.”
The role of psychology
How to protect children from online racism is just one of a long list of questions on researchers’ wish list. Digital technology evolves so quickly that children have migrated to new platforms before scientists have finished collecting data on yesterday’s favorite sites. “There’s still a lot we don’t know about this subject. Social media is impacting people’s lives as we speak, so it’s understandable that people are frustrated,” Nesi said. Told.
Some groups and individuals are likely to be more susceptible to the negative effects of social media than others, she added. She said: “We need more information about who is more vulnerable and who is more resilient, and what they are doing online and whether it is healthy or harmful.”
There’s a lot of work to be done, but “we’re getting close,” Nesi said. As APA’s recommendations make clear, there is ample evidence that some types of content and online behavior can harm young people. Adult role models can work with teens to understand the pitfalls of technology and establish boundaries to protect children from dangerous content and excessive screen time.
Psychological research shows that from an early age children are taught to identify misinformation, protect their privacy, understand how people misrepresent themselves online, and criticize racially-related material online. It has been shown that digital literacy skills, such as how to assess digitally, should be taught. One way he encourages such skills may be to rely on teenagers’ inherent skepticism toward adults. “You can teach kids that a lot of people want something from them,” Alvold said. Whether it’s strangers trying to send you messages on Instagram or TikTok making money by collecting your kids’ data and showing them branded content.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy to help children develop a healthy relationship with social media. “Inevitably, adolescents are more likely to disagree with their parents, and it’s scary because they want to have things that all their friends have, like phones and social media,” McCabe says. . “But parents are eager for guidance. There’s an increased demand for this information right now,” she added. Psychological scientists can help provide information.
This scientific research can also inform broader efforts to keep children safe on social media. “Parents can’t do this alone,” Nesi said. “We need major changes to these platforms to protect children.”
Efforts are underway to bring about such changes. The Kids Online Safety Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in April, would impose a duty of care on social media companies to protect minors from mental health harm, sex trafficking, drugs and other dangers. It has established. Additionally, the bill would require social media companies to undergo independent external audits, allow researchers access to platform data assets, and provide substantial support to youth and parent organizations to create a safer digital environment. We have set some restrictions. While lawmakers and tech companies consider these and other policies, researchers can continue their efforts to determine which actions are most protective, Neci said. Nesi is currently leading research to understand which features of social media are beneficial and harmful to older children and suicide risk. “For some children, being able to connect with others and find support is very important. For others, social media can create more challenges than it solves,” says Nessi. he said. “The key is to make sure we don’t accidentally cause harm by enacting regulations and laws that aren’t supported by science.”
As researchers move forward, clinical psychologists can also add valuable insight to teens and their families. “Screens are central to adolescents’ lives, and we need to incorporate that into assessment and treatment,” Nesi said. “Clinicians can help families and teens take a step back and look at their social media use to understand what’s working for them and what’s not.”
Mr McCabe said digital literacy could one day be taught in schools in the same way young people learn about sexual health and drug use. “I hope that teaching about the healthy use of social media becomes routine,” she said. “Thanks to this ongoing dialogue among families and policymakers, we are now able to use social media to connect and educate while minimizing harm. There may be a new generation of children entering the world,” she added. “I hope this is the start of a new day.”