Social Media and Youth Mental Health

Although age 13 is commonly the required minimum age used by social media platforms in the U.S., nearly (a)   % of children ages 8–12 use social media.4

Up to (a)   % of youth ages 13–17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly."

According to the text, what are some of the complex factors that shape the influence of social media on youth mental health?

What is the relationship between social media use and brain development in adolescents?

• Adolescents, ages 10 to 19, are undergoing sensitive brain development, making them more susceptible to social pressures and the effects of social media.

• Age 13 is commonly the required minimum age for social media because by then adolecent brains are developed enough that they won't be significantly effected.

• There is not yet enough evidence to determine the relationship between social media use and brain development in adolescents.

• Ther is no relationship between social media use and brain development in adolescents.

Frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in which parts of the brain?

• amygdala

• prefrontal cortex

• corpus callosum

• occipital lobe

Answer explanation

Frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain in the amygdala (important for emotional learning and behavior) and the prefrontal cortex (important for impulse control, emotional regulation, and moderating social behavior), and could increase sensitivity to social rewards and punishments.

What are some of the potential benefis of social media use among children and adolescents?

What are some of the potential harms of social media use among children and adolescents?

What are the risks associated with the "excessive and problematic use" of social media?

What can children and adolescents do to navigate social media in a safe and healthy way?

What is something new and/or interesting you learned from this article and how can you apply this information to your daily life?