health
Social media addiction: how to know if your child has problems and what to do about it
The case of the young woman who won a historic lawsuit against Meta and YouTube for the addictive design of their platforms is not an exceptional story. In many ways, it is a story recognizable to all of us.
TL;DR
- A young girl won a lawsuit against Meta and YouTube for the addictive design of their platforms, raising questions about adult oversight.
- Spending more than three hours daily on social media is associated with a higher risk of mental health problems in adolescents.
- Warning signs include using social media despite wanting to stop, negative impacts on sleep, studies, or relationships, lying to get online, irritability when offline, social isolation, fluctuating self-esteem based on likes, and increased preoccupation with physical appearance.
- Experts recommend teaching children to use platforms healthily and accompanying them, rather than outright prohibition, as bans do not build internal resources.
- Establishing clear rules, such as no screens during meals or an hour before bed, and having regular conversations about online experiences can help.
- Modeling healthy digital behavior is crucial for parents.
- Consulting a mental health professional is recommended if warning signs are present.
- Platforms require users to be 13, but experts advise assessing psychological maturity, as early access without filters can be detrimental.