Surgeon General Issues Advisory About Social Media - Read it Here

Left to Right: School Resource Officer, Dan DeVeau; US Attorneys Office Representative, Karen Legrace; Department of Justice Representative, Lauryn Myers; Homeland Security Special Agent, Janet Connolly

Thank you to Chief Marc Montminy and School Resource Officer Dan DeVeau for bringing the United States Department of Homeland Defense to our schools today.  Today, our kids were educated about social media and gaming, cyberbullying, online predators, and how to stay safe online.  Unsurprisingly, on May 23, 2023, the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory on the effects of social media on young people’s mental health. 

Read it Here

 Social Media and Mental Health of Youth

As we navigate the digital age, social media has become a central pillar of our daily lives. We are privy to a vast interconnected world with a simple swipe or tap. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have revolutionized communication, entertainment, and work. But a much darker reality lurks beneath the glossy façade of online interaction, rife with hidden dangers. This blog post aims to shed light on the potential hazards associated with excessive and uninformed use of social media.

One of the primary concerns surrounding social media is its potential to become addictive. Social media platforms are designed to capture and keep our attention. Features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and rewarding likes or shares stimulate dopamine release in our brains. This pleasurable reward pathway can easily lead to habitual use and addiction. A 2018 Pew Research Center study revealed that 40% of American adults admitted to logging on to Facebook several times daily.

Social media can negatively affect mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. The highlight reels of people's lives often presented on platforms like Instagram can create a distorted sense of reality, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth in users. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is another phenomenon directly linked to social media usage, causing stress and anxiety in individuals who believe they are missing out on experiences that others are having.

Unfortunately, the anonymity afforded by the Internet can embolden certain individuals to engage in harmful behaviors, such as cyberbullying, and even disseminate false information about others in attempts to cause them distress and harm.  Young people, who are avid social media users, are particularly vulnerable. They may face harassment, embarrassment, or even threats online. A nationwide survey conducted by the Cyberbullying Research Center found that about 37% of young people between ages 12-17 have been bullied online at some point.

Social media platforms are also fertile grounds for data harvesting, with personal information being used for targeted advertising and sometimes even sold to third parties. Furthermore, social media can be used as a platform for identity theft, stalking, or phishing attacks. Even with privacy settings, users may inadvertently reveal sensitive information.

I hope you can take a little time to read the Surgeon General’s Advisory – particularly page 17 – What Parents and Caregivers Can Do.