New York City sues social media

New York Mayor Eric Adams and other personalities from the education and health world of the Big Apple announced, on February 14, the launch of a trial against five well-known social media platforms. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube are accused of generating “social media addiction» and, in general, a youth mental health crisis of national scope.

While waiting to understand the result of this courageous initiative by the mayor of New York, we must note at least one positive aspect. That is, we are finally trying to clarify the dangers of social media and the risks to the health of young people. In fact, once critical issues are identified, it will be easier to take appropriate countermeasures.

Adams: “Social media is fueling the national youth mental health crisis”

“Over the past decade, we have seen how addictive and oppressive the online world can be, exposing our children to a steady stream of harmful content and fueling the national mental health crisis among our youth. »Mayor Eric Adams said during the press conference.

According to the Beck Institute, which specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is estimated that there are approximately 3.8 billion people use i social. They each spend about 142 minutes a day on it. Taking into account the development of initial psychological well-being, due to the strengthening of social ties and the sharing of much useful information, they are however many critical issues have arisen.

In this regard, New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan compared social media to toxins. Like lead, air pollution and nicotine found in the atmospheric environment, social networks pollute the digital environment. According to Vasan, they must be regulated and controlled; also because, expecting them to do it independently, “he’s naive”.

The risks of social media addiction

What is primarily attributed to social media is the development of a type of behavioral addiction known as “Social Media Addiction.” The latter is characterized by an excessive concern with the use of these tools, combined with an “irrepressible” and “uncontrollable” need to access them.

THE physical, psychological and relational consequences they are numerous and of a significant magnitude. The Beck Institute highlights in particular the presence of sleep disorders and stress in nucleus accumbens. The latter corresponds to an area of ​​the brain involved in the gratification and reward system. It engulfs addiction and is closely linked to the functionality of “likes” present on the platforms.

But it is from a psychological and relational point of view that the most worrying symptoms manifest themselves. The main ones are theincreased anxiety disorders, onset of depression and the low self-esteem, caused by excessive comparison with other users. All of this contributes to fostering isolation, an impoverishment of social relationships and a gradual replacement of the real world by the virtual.

Initiatives to stem the phenomenon

Additionally, the Adams administration has been taking action for some time various initiatives to respond to the mental health problems of young people. Last year, for example, the mayor announced the launch of TeenSpace, a free telemental health service that allows teens to connect with a licensed therapist by phone, video and text.

However, in March 2023, the New York City Council launched a mental health plan for children and youth. Subsequently, the city summoned more than 150 people, including mental health specialists, to describe potential courses of action aimed at protecting the health of young people. Mayor Adams' legal action is part of this line of initiatives aimed at raising society's awareness of the risks associated with social media addiction.