This week, two court decisions highlighted the dangers of social media for teens, focusing on both the content and the design of the platforms. A California jury found Google and Meta accountable for causing anxiety and depression in a woman who used social media as a child. They ruled that platforms like Instagram and YouTube were intentionally designed to be addictive.
In another case, a New Mexico jury determined that Meta’s practices violated state laws, adversely affecting children’s mental health and safety on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Both companies disagreed with the rulings and plan to appeal.
Recent scientific studies echo these concerns. Researchers have identified specific design features that make social media hard to resist, particularly for young minds. For instance, they found that elements like endless scrolling and targeted notifications could lead to compulsive usage among children. According to Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician and expert in teen digital media, these features mirror addictive behaviors often seen in substance abuse.
In one recent study, teens were asked how often they felt they couldn’t control their social media use. Around 16% admitted they struggled to cut back, and 23% reflected on social media frequently. Nagata points out that these issues may be even more prevalent among older teens who tend to spend more time online.
His research indicates that teens with compulsive social media habits show higher rates of depression, attention problems, and behavioral issues—even a year later. Alarmingly, these teens are also at greater risk for suicidal thoughts, sleep troubles, and experimenting with substances like alcohol and marijuana over time.
The good news is that some social media companies are making changes to mitigate these risks. Features like time limits and the ability to turn off notifications can help users manage their screen time better. However, researchers argue that more needs to be done, especially for younger users. Mitch Prinstein from the University of North Carolina emphasizes that teens shouldn’t receive frequent notifications, particularly likes, which can be disruptive for their still-developing brains.
Proposed legislative changes in the Kids Online Safety Act aim to combat these issues. Though it passed in the Senate in 2024, its progress has stalled. The act suggests restricting endless scrolling, customizing notifications for minors, and other design alterations to foster a safer online space.
Nagata advocates for limitations on notifications during crucial times, like bedtime, when late-night scrolling can worsen mental health conditions. Both experts agree that privacy settings should default to protect minors by preventing their data from being shared and used for targeted advertising—a practice that often leads to prolonged engagement with harmful content.
Additionally, parental controls are essential for safeguarding kids. As Prinstein notes, many adults would be shocked by the content accessible to children, especially concerning harmful themes like self-harm or sexualization. Given that two-thirds of children aged 11 and 12 already have social media accounts, effective age verification is critical, yet most platforms allow easy access through fake birth dates.
Countries like Australia have begun stricter regulations, banning social media for those under 16, while the U.S. lacks similar protections. Until significant changes are made, parents bear the primary responsibility to limit their kids’ exposure to these platforms.
Ultimately, as discussions around social media’s impact on youth gain momentum, the decisions of courts and the insights of experts like Nagata and Prinstein will shape how we understand and mitigate these risks.
