Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health

The rates of self-harm and suicide among youth have increased over the last decade, with root causes attributed to factors such as the pandemic, gun violence, climate anxiety, and social media. Personal injury lawsuits are being filed against social media companies, with allegations that platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube are knowingly getting kids addicted to their platforms using psychological principles such as intermittent variable rewards. These platforms study and analyze user behavior to keep them engaged, similar to how a slot machine compels repeated use for the anticipation of a dopamine hit.