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Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

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Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#101
post #82

My entirely anecdotal impression as a high school teacher is that media (in general, often but not always “social” media) is doing an exceptional job of sucking up teenagers’ every waking moment that is not actively demanded to be focused on something else. It’s pleasure without joy. Ennui without boredom. Their social skills (and social interest) appear markedly reduced even compared to even five years ago. So many…

> Their social skills (and social interest) appear markedly reduced even compared to even five years ago. So many of them struggle to articulate any kind of positive vision for themselves/their lives unless they have lucked into a passion or have family that pushes. Yikes. How is a lack of positive vision indicative of poor social skills? You can be quite articulate and good at socializing but still suicidal. Have yo…

>How is a lack of positive vision indicative of poor social skills?

They never said it was. IF they were drawing any connection, it is the opposite direction. Poor social skills and lack of community can lead to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and depression.

>Have you ever considered that maybe young people are disillusioned with their surroundings and the people who are older than them? After all - you come on here and complain that they’re socially inept, negative, and mostly unworthy of any attention. Maybe they’re just reflecting back what you feel about them.

This is a valid consideration. It is possible that there is a generational divide at play where youth are seen as having nothing valued by older generations in terms of interests and social interactions. This could be a perception, or it could be a reality.

In my life, there are certainly people that I do not share an interests with and do not enjoy their company.

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#102

My entirely anecdotal impression as a high school teacher is that media (in general, often but not always “social” media) is doing an exceptional job of sucking up teenagers’ every waking moment that is not actively demanded to be focused on something else. It’s pleasure without joy. Ennui without boredom. Their social skills (and social interest) appear markedly reduced even compared to even five years ago. So many…

I'm curious: how do the "weird ones" do? The outsiders, contrarians, the ones who don't quite fit in and who might even take pleasure in not caring about social media?

They all found each other online :(

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#103
post #68

Social media definitely amplifies it, but consider the economic and social environment that teenagers have lived through their entire lives. Multiple major recessions, a global pandemic, rising inflation, housing and education getting more expensive by the day, prospect of a mountain of debt right after graduation, climate that will be unlivable in a few decades, political extremism becoming the norm, and massive gov…

Consider the possibility that this perspective might be less a reflection of reality and more a reflection of the media environment.

Does that make it any less true though? It causes people to change how they act. Political activism among youth seems to be quite high. Perhaps for the better.

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#104

My entirely anecdotal impression as a high school teacher is that media (in general, often but not always “social” media) is doing an exceptional job of sucking up teenagers’ every waking moment that is not actively demanded to be focused on something else. It’s pleasure without joy. Ennui without boredom. Their social skills (and social interest) appear markedly reduced even compared to even five years ago. So many…

“older generation thinks something different than younger generation”

Indeed, a story as old as civilization itself. but in this case, it doesn't seem like it is working out very well for their mental health.

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Consider the possibility that this perspective might be less a reflection of reality and more a reflection of the media environment.

Does that make it any less true though? It causes people to change how they act. Political activism among youth seems to be quite high. Perhaps for the better.

>Does that make it any less true though?

No, but it is an important distinction if you want to look for solutions, either socially or as a parent.

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#106

My entirely anecdotal impression as a high school teacher is that media (in general, often but not always “social” media) is doing an exceptional job of sucking up teenagers’ every waking moment that is not actively demanded to be focused on something else. It’s pleasure without joy. Ennui without boredom. Their social skills (and social interest) appear markedly reduced even compared to even five years ago. So many…

“older generation thinks something different than younger generation”

Except in this case, I'm pretty sure the smartphone+social media combo is also screwing up the older generations.

Does anyone not have friends or family members who became angrier, darker, or otherwise seem to have lost touch with reality since becoming extremely online?

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#107

Haidt wants to censor the speech he doesn’t like; he is pining for the old order. His main talking point is Diversity and Equity is bad. He even suggests diversity is bad. Watch this video from mid point. https://youtu.be/RKRuvKtFvqo

Diversity is a dog whistle to be honest. Either you are on the diverse team or your aren't.

It's important to understand the core tribalism around picking up this word and standing by it.

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#108

Parent of a teen, one anecdote to add. You see what all your friends are doing all the time. Every gathering or event that you where not a part of you see, sometimes in real time. People hate being excluded, and this greatly amplifies this feeling. I'm certain I missed out on a ton of cool stuff as a kid, but at least I didn't have to see it.

Similar, but different. I don't let my child use social media at all, and limited to 30 mins screen time total a day. She's excluded in that all her friends use TikTok, and she can't.

Maybe it's for the best.

My parents used to say 'if all your friends jumped off a bridge...', and I hated it, so I haven't used that one yet. I'm trying to rely on actual merits instead of follower cliches.

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#109

My family is kinda addicted, so addicted, we ended up not talking anymore because someone wanted a perfect shot off the eifel tower and it wasn't goid enough, even worse when there has to be made pictures of food and whatever.

> pictures of food and whatever I never understood the food photos. Do I just not love food enough? Do people really enjoy seeing photos of their friends’ meals?

It depends on the subject:

- For food, if you're eating somewhere else, it's showing that you're doing something in a restaurant.

- For food, showing that you're ready for a man. (That's what I've heard)

- Photos without obvious intentions (But they are "obvious") let me explain...

If I shoot a video in Tesla without showing the Taxi driver. Than I'm in Tesla and you (the viewer) aren't. You will need to feel jealous about me. (It's about status)

Re: Teen mental health is plummeting and social media is a major contributing cause [pdf]

#110
We could start by trying to take the magic out of how social media sites decide what to display. Content delivery algorithms can be very effective at imparting a lasting impact on users that carries away from the platform.

If content delivery algorithms were open sourced it could add a healthy check to the ecosystem.

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