For several years now, researchers have warned that social media is addictive, in the same way that drugs or alcohol might be. “[S]ocial media provides rewarding experiences that generate dopamine in the brain, the same substance produced when we eat cake or have sex,” reported Professor Ofir Turel at Cal State Fullerton back in 2018. “Over time, it trains your brain to want to check social media more and more often.” Experts also warn that social media use can lead to depression and anxiety in children and youth, especially among girls. Lawsuits against social media companies have been filed alleging as much. In a Montana case, for example, “Plaintiffs say defective social media products’ have caused children to become addicted, leading to severe mental health challenges that include anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.”
This week the US Surgeon General weighed in on the side of those concerned about the effect of social media on children and stated that age 13 — the age at which most children can join popular social media communities — is too young. Maybe excluding social media use until age16, 17, or 18 would be a good idea, he said.
Of course, my wife says I’m addicted to Facebook, and she may be right. But I can quit whenever I want, I tell her! Humor aside, there is reason to believe that children who become addicted to social media may be at greater risk than adults who, like me, didn’t have a smartphone until at least age 30. An analogy to alcoholism is helpful here. Studies have clearly demonstrated that individuals who begin drinking in their early teens are much more likely to develop not only alcohol dependence but also chronic, relapsing dependence. As with social media, alcohol temporarily boosts dopamine in the brain, but excessive use can damage the entire dopamine “system.” Because the brain is continuing to develop and mature until around age 25, it may be that the early effects of those dopamine “overloads” permanently change the brain’s wiring or chemistry.
Several states and Congress are already considering banning the use of social media by children and young teens. A federal bill would set age limits at 16 and require social media companies to verify a community member’s age. Bills in Texas and Utah would prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from creating a social media account, at least without parental consent.
In other news:
You might find this program by Alan Detlaff at the National Press Foundation interesting. Detlaff is the former Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Houston. He blames his removal as Dean on his “abolitionist” approach to the child welfare system and his opposition to social workers’ collaborating with law enforcement.
A Michigan legislator is proposing to increase public access to child welfare records following the death of a five-year old.
A former foster youth expresses support for renewing CAPTA.
Here’s a really interesting initiative in Arizona that would leverage the State’s 1115 waiver to provide greater access to Medicaid for former foster youth.
If you haven’t alread done so, you can add North Carolina and Ohio to the list of states where foster children are sleeping in offices.
Numerous states are moving to limit children’s exposure to drag shows.
Perhaps fearing that the Supreme Court is going to strike down the Indian Child Welfare Act, states including Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming are proposing state-based equivalents. Question for you legal scholars out there: if the Court determines that the law creates an unconstitutional race-based classification, how would an equivalent state law survive scrutiny?\
As always, your feedback and topic suggestions are appreciated!