Social media use is extremely common among teens and preteens, according to a study published in The Lancet in 2023, and the majority of teens use it regularly. But while apps like Instagram or TikTok can be fun to use and provide unique opportunities for kids to engage with the world, a growing chorus of experts say that the risks may far outweigh the benefits.
Most social media companies, including Meta and Snapchat, require users to be at least 13 years old. But in an interview with CNN, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated that he believed 13 was still much too young, and adolescents should wait until 16 or older. Plenty of data supports this view — according to a 2023 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, frequent social media use can alter brain chemistry in adolescents and change how they respond to rewards and incentives.
Frequent use is the entire point of social media, and teens are particularly vulnerable to its addictive qualities. In an interview with CNN, psychiatrist Adriana Stacey noted that adolescents literally can't resist the dopamine rush they get from social media, thanks to hyperactive reward centers in their brains. According to the Mayo Clinic, this kind of frequent use is heavily linked to poor mental health and well-being.
