This week’s guest speaker Jesse Miller gave an intriguing presentation on the use of social media by youth, and the presence of technology in schools. My takeaway from this presentation was Jesse’s firm assertion against banning phones and the value of social media for youth and adults. I entered Jesse’s presentation with an opposing view on social media and technology and left it with my mind unchanged. However, I believe hearing and considering opinions that differ from your own is important and I appreciate the opportunity Jesse created for me to question my own beliefs.
In a nationally representative survey of girls aged 11–15, one-third or more say they feel “addicted” to a social media platform
Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, p.9, 2023
My key issue with Jesse’s presentation was that he neglected to include reference to recent studies that challenge his opinion. For example, Jesse denied the proposal that social media can become addictive for youth, and argued that social media does not cause any additional harm to youth than could be reasonably expected in high school. In 2023 however, the United States Surgeon General released a health advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health. In that advisory, multiple references are made to studies that show social media’s potential for causing negative mental health outcomes and addictive behaviour in youth.
Excessive and problematic social media use, such as compulsive or
Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, p.10, 2023
uncontrollable use, has been linked to sleep problems, attention problems, and feelings of exclusion among adolescents.
Though there are positive outcomes from the heightened connectivity that social media provides, these negative impacts on mental health cannot be overlooked.