Starting around age 10, children’s brains undergo a fundamental shift that spurs them to seek social rewards, including attention and approval from their peers.
At the same time, we hand them smartphones (Kids & Tech, Influence Central, 2018).
Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat have provided crucial opportunities for interaction that are a normal part of development—especially during a time of severe isolation prompted by the pandemic. But they’ve also been increasingly linked to mental health problems, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and body image concerns.
So, why do kids face a higher risk of harm on social media?
Let’s dig deeper.
[Related: Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how social media affects youth]