Social Media and Childhood Anxiety
Social media can cause significant mental health issues in young people, including anxiety stemming from comparison to others and constant notifications.
“When the outcome is unpredictable, the behavior is more likely to repeat,”
Jacqueline Sperling, PhD, from McLean Hospital, highlights social media’s addictive nature, comparing it to a slot machine where unpredictable outcomes encourage repeated behavior.
- Comparison issues arise when children see others’ curated online content, such as vacations and parties, creating unrealistic expectations.
Author's note: Social media affects children's mental health.