US Surgeon General issues social media health advice for American teens and tweens

The Office of the US Surgeon General, led by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, has issued a Official advice that suggests social media can have both positive and negative effects On the emotional well-being of American youth.

According to the report, about 95% of 13 to 17 year olds use social media, and about 40% of 8 to 12 year olds use social media. Individuals generally must be at least 13 years of age to create an account on a social media site. But it is easy to circumvent these age restrictions by simply entering a fake date of birth.

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The report states that more research needs to be done to quantify the harm social media can do to children under 13. But it also acknowledges that parents, teachers and researchers are becoming more aware – and concerned – about 13-year-olds freely accessing social media.

The widespread use of social media is an issue that is discussed among parliamentarians, even at the federal level. When the CEO of Tiktok Sho Zi Chew testifies before CongressMembers asked him how his company plans to address the large number of young children who view explicit and harmful content on the app.

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US lawmakers have introduced prohibition legislation Prohibiting children under 13 from creating accounts on social media apps, other bills needed Parental consent of 13- to 17-year-olds to create social media accounts,

Some Law targets Big Tech And suggest that firms should perform modest safety risk assessments, exclude children from algorithmic recommendations, and give parents more control over their children’s digital footprint.

engagement of minority groups

The US Surgeon General’s Office reports that social media may benefit some youth who are looking for a community online. These online communities can be beneficial for marginalized youth seeking guidance on racial, gender, and sexual concerns.

Children from minority groups may find it difficult to fit in at school and may find solace when they can connect with like-minded people online. The report states that 58% of teens find social media more acceptance, 71% enjoy being creative online, and 80% want to connect and be informed about what’s going on in their friends’ lives. take pleasure.

experiencing depression and anxiety

The importance of looking after and protecting mental health has become a common topic of discussion in recent years, especially in online forums. But spending too much time on social media can also contribute to poor mental health.

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The report cites a longitudinal study that found American children aged 12 to 15 who spent more than three hours a day on social media were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.

According to research, these adverse outcomes are more prevalent among young girls. In particular, young girls are more likely to experience problems with body image and disordered eating behaviors due to social media use. In 2021, a Facebook whistleblower revealed that Instagram’s algorithms pushed harmful body image and disordered eating content to young girls. and the company was aware,

The report also cited research that concluded that problematic, compulsive or excessive social media use is causing teens to get less sleep. Poor sleep quality, attention deficits, and mood disorders are associated with social media use until or after midnight in adolescents.

keeping our kids safe online

The report states that policymakers can mitigate some of these issues by strengthening protections to ensure minors are protected online, requiring higher levels of data privacy for minors, and strictly enforcing age minimums. We do.

The report also suggested that policymakers should collaborate with international partners to protect children online, ensure that tech companies are sharing data about the impact of their platforms and digital media in schools. Support the implementation of literacy.

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Tech companies should create products and tools that encourage a safe environment for minors online, establish advisory committees to oversee and enforce policies to keep children safe online, and ensure that children’s data is protected. Default settings are made to be safe.

Parents and caregivers should encourage technology-free zones in their homes and plan face-to-face time with their children as much as possible. They should also model appropriate behaviors online, talk to other parents about their stance on social media, and have open conversations with their children about online safety.