How Social Media Affects Children's Anxiety
Social media can cause significant mental health issues in young people, including comparison to others and constant notifications that distract from real life.
“When the outcome is unpredictable, the behavior is more likely to repeat,”
according to Jacqueline Sperling, PhD, from McLean Hospital, explaining social media’s addictive nature. This can be compared to a slot machine, where players keep trying due to unpredictable outcomes. For instance, children may feel pressured when seeing others’ "highlight reels" of vacations, parties, and fun events online.
Author's summary: Social media affects kids' mental health.
- Comparison to others
- Constant notifications
- Addictive nature