Why Is Social Media Harmful to Children and Teens?

Key points

Social media can be harmful to children and teens.

The U.S. Surgeon General and APA published concerns for children's well-being in digital environments.

Social media algorithms, filters, and online photo comparisons can contribute to lower self esteem.

Parents can engage in mediating strategies to reduce the risks of social media on their children.

The United States office of the Surgeon General, tasked with protecting the nation's health, recently published an advisory titled " Social Media and Youth Mental Health.(1) The Advisory describes current evidence of the impacts of social media on child and adolescent mental health, and states that current science "cannot conclude that social media is sufficiently safe for children and adolescents."

This advisory outlines sev