Infinite scrolling among social media features that risk young users' mental health
The American Psychological Association (APA) issued a report Tuesday criticizing how social media is designed in a way that jeopardizes the youth's mental health.
More than half of teenagers are reporting symptoms of clinical dependency on social media and APA blame design features in social media as one of the culprits.
Infinite scrolling, visible count of likes and follows, push notifications, and AI-recommended content are some of the common features on social media platforms that hurts teenagers mental health, the report says. These same features are the one at the center of the many lawsuits against social media platforms.
The infinite scrolling feature was particularly remarked by the report, as the feature makes it harder for younger users to resist the urge to continue scrolling.
"Youths’ developing cortical system makes them less capable of resisting impulses or stopping themselves from behavior that may lead to temporary benefit despite negative longer-term consequences," the report says.
"This can lead to adolescents making decisions based on short-term gain, lower appreciation of long-term risks, and interference with focus on tasks that require concentration," it added.
On the other hand, push notifications take advantage of younger users sensitivity to distraction. What's worse, is that push notifications force user to quickly shift tasks, something that require a higher cognitiveability that people don't develop until early adulthood, interfering with youths’ focus on schoolwork.
The expert report, made by a panel of 12 scholars, also stressed that brain development starting at ages 10-13 until the mid-twenties is linked with hypersensitivity to both negative and positive social feedback. Visible counts of a user's followers and "likes" is something that capitalizes on younger user's vulnerably and increases chances for problematic use of social media.
Moreover over, "likes and follower counts activate neural regions that trigger repetitive behavior, and thus may exert greater influence on youths’ attitudes and behavior," the report says.
When social media platforms generates a content feed for user, the algorithm should be recommending content that triggers youth engagement and peer pressure, but rather safety practices, the Association recommended.
Nevertheless, the Association seed potential for positive outcomes stemming from social media use, if used properly.
"Youth using social media should be encouraged to use functions that create opportunities for social support, online companionship, and emotional intimacy that can promote healthy socialization," it said.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: APA denounces social media infinite scrolling as dangerous for teens
