Almost a year following the American Psychological Association’s advisory on adolescent social media use, little has changed in terms of platform adjustments or federal policies. Research continues to reveal the risks of social media for young users, highlighting the urgency for new safety standards.
A new study revealed that chronological age alone doesn’t determine readiness for social media use. Children are particularly susceptible to the psychological impacts of design features and harmful content inherent to social media platforms. Youth’s developing brains make it harder for them to resist impulses created by design features, including infinite scroll and push notifications.
Parents should read the APA’s full study to stay informed.