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San Diego sues social media over youth mental health 🧠🚨

Social Media and Teen Mental Health: What Parents Need to Know

San Diego is taking a big stand against social media companies, and parents should pay attention. The county has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against major platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, claiming these apps are hurting teenagers' mental health.

What's Really Happening?

Social media companies are being accused of creating addictive platforms that trap young people, similar to how slot machines and cigarette companies once hooked consumers. The lawsuit highlights some scary facts:

  • Nearly half of teenagers are online almost constantly

  • Girls use Instagram and TikTok more frequently

  • Boys tend to prefer YouTube

  • Most teens say it would be hard to give up social media

Why Should Parents Care?

The U.S. Surgeon General warned in 2023 that social media can have serious risks for kids. The key concerns include:

  • Mental health disruption

  • Educational interference

  • Potential long-term psychological damage

What Can Parents Do?

  • While the legal battle continues, parents can take proactive steps:

  • Monitor social media usage

  • Talk openly with kids about online experiences

  • Set healthy screen time boundaries

  • Watch for signs of mental health struggles

  • The most important thing is staying connected with your child and creating a supportive environment where they feel safe discussing their online experiences

    Our mission is to help parents REVERSE the effects that screen time is having on our kids!

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Bullet Points:

  • San Diego County officials filed a lawsuit against major social media platforms, accusing them of using addictive techniques to hook young users.

  • The lawsuit demands financial compensation to fund mental health services for affected youths and calls for transparency on algorithm effects.

  • Concerns are backed up by a Pew Research Center study showing high levels of social media usage among teenagers.

  • The lawsuit echoes an advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General about potential harm caused by social media.