Social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily routines in today’s digital age, especially for our youth. While social media platforms can foster connections, creativity, and offer a space for everyone to have a voice, they also pose very real and significant dangers to our children. Since October is recognized as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Kentucky, it’s the perfect opportunity to discuss the risks social media poses to our children, health, and education.
Young individual’s mental health is severely affected by social media, as several studies have shown. Children who spend a significant amount of time online are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Spending excessive time on social media platforms has also been linked to diminishing attention spans, poor academic performance, worsening mental and physical health, and psychological issues. In short, we become dumber, more impatient, and sicker.
However, it’s not their fault. Social media platforms have mastered the art of curating intentionally addictive algorithms that are designed to elicit this exact behavior. In order to maximize profit through user engagement, social media companies employ the world’s greatest developers who design these platforms in a way that makes it psychologically difficult to log off, and nearly impossible to stay gone for long. Young children have a limited capacity for self-control, making the ability to resist social media an unfair fight. There is no natural stopping point, break, or ‘end’ to a social media feed, creating an endless cycle of content. Users are constantly fed personalized media and advertisements that are tailored to their every interest, creating a feedback loop that reinforces their engagement.
Recognizing the compounding negative effects that social media has on children, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman filed a 125-page lawsuit against TikTok earlier this month. In the lawsuit, Coleman claims that, “TikTok intentionally manipulates the release of dopamine in Young User’s brains and causes them to use TikTok in an excessive, compulsive, and addictive manner that harms them both physically and mentally.” Kentucky has now joined over a dozen states who have also filed lawsuits against the company, citing similar claims. With social media’s pervasive influence, the fight to protect our children from its dangerous effects is a nationwide battle. The well-being of our youth must come before corporate profits, and Kentucky is sending this message loud and clear.
The impact of social media use on children’s physical health could not be clearer. Excessive time online leads to a sedentary lifestyle that contributes to obesity, poor posture, and a decline in overall physical fitness. Kentucky is grappling with above average childhood obesity rates among other health issues tied to the overconsumption of digital media.
The mental health implications of social media on children are equally concerning. Social media platforms host users from different walks of life, all over the globe. There is no limit to the kinds of content, lifestyles, or behaviors that children may be exposed to while online before it is age appropriate. To an impressionable child, social media can fuel low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. As the mental health crisis among young people across the nation worsens, experts are increasingly pointing to social media as the main contributing factor.
During the 2024 Legislative Session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 278 in response to the growing threats that our children face every day. HB 278 addresses growing concerns surrounding social media’s impact on children by mandating that social media platforms implement stricter age verification processes. The bill also establishes an avenue for entities to be held civilly liable for promoting harmful or inappropriate content without age verification. House Bill 278 is a proactive approach to safeguarding children from the dangers of free-reign internet access, and creates a balance of the benefits of social media with the need to safeguard our youth.
The negative impacts of social media also extend into children’s education. The prevalence of short form content and the culture of instant gratification have contributed to reduced attention spans, making it difficult for kids to concentrate in class. Adding to this struggle are constant push notifications from social media platforms, urging kids to log back on, further disrupting their ability to concentrate on what’s going on in the classroom. This makes it increasingly difficult for students to engage in their education.
Knowing all that we do about the negative side effects of social media, it is important for parents to have a conversation with their children about its impacts. Reducing screen time, setting boundaries for social media use, and encouraging hobbies outside of the digital world can help mitigate its negative effects on children’s mental and physical wellbeing as well as their academic performance. Further, by delaying unmonitored social media access until children are of an appropriate age, kids can develop a balanced and healthy relationship with social media early on that will benefit them long-term.
While the advancements of the digital age are remarkable, they come with serious responsibilities. It is our job to protect children from the negative effects of social media, but it is not an easy one. This is a collective effort that requires strong legislation, parental accountability, and widespread awareness. As we continue to revel in the latest technological advancements, we must keep the well-being of the next generation in mind.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at amy.neighbors@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(Laura Leigh Goins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Media Relations – House Majority Leadership)