Researchers have documented that social media can harm teens
The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.
Meta’s record of pursuing profits regardless of documented harm has sparked comparisons to Big Tobacco, which knew in the 1950s that its products were carcinogenic but publicly denied it into the 21st century. Those of us who study social media use by teens didn’t need a suppressed internal research study to know that Instagram can harm teens. Plenty of peer-reviewed research papers show the same thing.
Unhealthy comparisons But Instagram isn’t problematic simply because it is popular. There are two key features of Instagram that seem to make it particularly risky. First, it allows users to follow both celebrities and peers, both of whom can present a manipulated, filtered picture of an unrealistic body along with a highly curated impression of a perfect life.
Negatively comparing themselves to others leads people to feel envious of others’ seemingly better lives and bodies. Recently, researchers even tried to combat this effect by reminding Instagram users that the posts were unrealistic.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dozens of states sue Meta alleging social media 'profoundly altered' mental, social realties of American youthAt least 32 states sued Meta, arguing platforms like Facebook and Instagram harnessed 'unprecedented technologies' to 'ultimately ensnare youth and teens.'
Read more »
States sue Meta, claiming its social media platforms are addictive and harming children’s mental healthStates are suing Instagram and Facebook parent Meta for harming young people’s mental health with addictive platforms.
Read more »
33 States Sue Meta, Say It Knowingly Addicted Kids to Social MediaThe lawsuit comes after nearly two years of investigations into the company.
Read more »
33 states sue Meta, claiming social media platforms are addictiveThirty-three states -- including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut -- have filed a joint lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claiming its social media platforms are addictive to children and teens. Read more: https://cbsloc.
Read more »
Dozens of states sue Meta over social media 'profoundly altered' mental, social realities of American youthAt least 32 states sued Meta, arguing platforms like Facebook and Instagram harnessed 'unprecedented technologies' to 'ultimately ensnare youth and teens.'
Read more »
33 more states sue Meta, claiming Instagram and Facebook are harmful to childrenThe suit follows reports based on Meta’s own research that the company knew about the harms Instagram can cause teenagers — especially girls — when it comes to mental health and body image issues.
Read more »