Before a verdict, social media needs more study

UF Health Podcasts

In recent years, social media has been a consistent scapegoat — and often the guilty party — for problems plaguing teens, ranging from those related to how they navigate their relationships and social circles to their physical health, like how early (and often) they get enough sleep.

Though some parents may wish otherwise, social media won’t be going away anytime soon. Now, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine offers recommendations for social media companies and others to lessen the negative effects of social media use on adolescents’ health, while boosting its benefits.

The report suggests the differences between teen and adult brains mean that adolescents can be uniquely affected by social media use, for better or worse. Teens have less-developed emotional regulation controls and a heightened sensitivity to rewards. And, according to the report, they are developmentally meant to seek out independence and explore new identities. Social media appeals to all of those things.

Currently, much of the research on social media use relies on correlation, not causation — and the report cautions against equating the two until more study is done. In short: We need better guidelines, including those social media companies take part in and enact themselves, as well as better training for parents, teachers and even medical providers so they can provide advice and caution against potentially harmful use.

Liking a post won’t likely end your teen’s well-being — or if it does, there isn’t solid research to say so.

For now, moderation works better than trying to completely avoid something so entwined in our everyday lives.