Mental health struggles are on the rise in the U.S., and children may be feeling some of the worst effects. One study found that the
number of teens and young adults with clinical depression in the U.S. literally doubled between 2011 and 2021, an unprecedented increase. Other research shows that nearly
25% of American teenage girls had a suicide plan in recent years. These numbers should shock us all to our core. Why are so many young people suffering from mental health crises in this country?
According to the
Surgeon General and many health experts, social media may be to blame.
Sign now to tell the National Institutes of Health to devote funding to more research on the impacts of social media on young people!While social media is an incredible resource for information sharing, personal expression, and elevating diverse voices, we are still in the beginning stages of understanding its adverse effects -- a process often hindered by platforms' refusal to be transparent about the harm they may cause.
Early
studies paint a damning picture of the effects of websites like Facebook and TikTok on some kids' well-being.
Social media use can increase body image issues and cause disordered eating, particularly in young girls. Spending significant time on these websites can also cause
sleeping issues in children, and some research shows that social media use is associated with increased ADHD diagnoses.
Our kids are in the middle of a national mental health crisis -- and it is time our institutions step up to identify the cause. There are real steps that we leaders can take to protect our children and everyone's free speech.
Let's demand that the NIH dedicate more funding to researching the potential harmful impacts of social media use so policymakers can make data-driven decisions! Sign the petition now if you agree!