Harmful Smartphone and Social Media Use by Children

"Social media has become a failed state, where laws are ignored, and crimes are tolerated. We will protect them from the digital Wild West. Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, articulated the government's rationale for implementing social media restrictions, emphasizing the lawless nature of these platforms and the need for youth protection from harmful digital environments."

"Blue light from screens can cause a delay in melatonin release, making it harder to go to sleep. Messaging before sleep and during the night can be arousing and anxiety inducing. Even if phones are not picked up, the dings from messages coming through can potentially disrupt sleep. Sleep specialists identify multiple mechanisms through which smartphones compromise rest quality in young people."

"When Drs. Lauren Hale and Stanford Guan published a review in 2014, they reported 67 studies going back to the early 2000's. Since then, many more studies have confirmed the deleterious effects on children and teenagers. Extensive research spanning over two decades consistently demonstrates the harmful impacts of social media and smartphone use on youth sleep and wellbeing."

Governments worldwide are implementing social media bans for children under sixteen, with Australia leading and Spain becoming Europe's first adopter. Spain's prime minister cited social media as a lawless environment requiring protection of youth. Tech moguls like Elon Musk have responded with hostile rhetoric, fearing revenue loss from teen users. Beyond concerns about bullying, sexual predation, and violence, sleep specialists highlight significant sleep disruption caused by smartphones. Blue light delays melatonin release, while notifications and messaging create anxiety and arousal. Decades of research, beginning in the early 2000s, consistently demonstrate these harmful effects on children and teenagers.

Read at Psychology Today