Exploring the Addiction and Dangers of Social Media for Teenagers: A Neuroscience Perspective

The debate over whether social media platforms should be required to include warning labels on their content has been ongoing in Congress. The U.S. Surgeon General has weighed in, stating that the mental health risks to users under 18 can range from depression to disruption of nervous system regulation.

WSBT 22 spoke with neuroscience experts, including Dr. Ambreen Ghori and Nancy Michael, to explore why social media is so addictive and how this addiction can contribute to anxiety and disconnection among teenagers.

Dr. Ghori explained that the chemical dopamine plays a crucial role in our brain’s reward pathway, causing us to seek out activities that make us feel good. Social media apps are designed to tap into this pathway by rewarding users with likes, comments, and notifications for engaging with the platform. However, excessive use of these apps can distort our perception of reality and exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Nancy Michael highlighted the vulnerability of developing brains to the effects of social media, emphasizing the importance of a balanced nervous system architecture for healthy development in young individuals. She noted that some students have taken drastic measures to limit their usage while others struggle to break the cycle of late-night scrolling.

In conclusion, experts believe that greater transparency and regulation by lawmakers are necessary to protect young users from the potential negative effects of social media on their mental health. By shedding light on the addictive qualities of these platforms and their detrimental effects on teens’ well-being, they hope to promote a more balanced approach to technology use and mental health awareness.