Social Media: A Growing Health Hazard for Teens
In a groundbreaking move, New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, has officially labeled social media as a health hazard, particularly for young teenagers. This remarkable decision marks the city’s proactive stance in addressing the detrimental effects of platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook on mental health. Mayor Adams emphasized that these tech giants are contributing to a mental health crisis by incorporating addictive and harmful features into their platforms. He expressed concern over Big Tech’s exploitation of children’s privacy and the ensuing risks to their mental well-being.
Subsequent to this declaration, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the commissioner of New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, has issued guidelines aimed at assisting parents, healthcare providers, and educators in guiding young individuals on navigating social media platforms responsibly and cultivating resilience against their negative impacts. Among the recommendations is the suggestion that parents refrain from providing children with smartphones capable of accessing social media until they reach at least 15 years of age. Dr. Vasan stressed that there is no definitive safe age for children to engage with smartphones or social media.
The United States has seen states like Utah, Texas, and Louisiana taking steps to curb social media usage among minors through legislation that limits or mandates parental consent for their participation. This move highlights the urgency of implementing similar measures in India, a diverse society where the anonymity afforded by social media can facilitate discrimination, harassment, and the dissemination of fake news.
Fake news poses a significant threat in the digital age, compounded by advanced artificial intelligence that blurs the line between fact and fiction. Children are especially vulnerable to manipulative individuals disguising themselves as friends online, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, or exposure to radical ideologies. Excessive time spent on social media can detract from academic pursuits and instill a fixation on validation through likes and comments, fostering a culture of instant gratification and a pursuit of online popularity.
The accountability of major tech companies in safeguarding children online was brought to the forefront in a recent US Senate hearing where CEOs of Meta (Facebook), Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok were summoned to address their platforms’ failures in protecting young users. Family members shared harrowing experiences of children falling victim to online abuse, with some tragic cases resulting in suicide. While apologies were extended, the onus remains on governments to enforce regulations that prioritize the safety of all users, particularly impressionable youth, to prevent social media from descending into a lawless realm where children bear the brunt of the consequences.
