The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic Began Around 2012

Re:The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic Began Around 2012 by Andrex on Wednesday February 08, 2023 @06:18PM (#34717097)

> It feels a little "anarchist" to say "down with all social media! it's most likely a total net negative! nobody should be allowed to enjoy it because it isn't inclusive of those who might be left out!"

The middle ground I've settled on is regulating it like alcohol.

Children should not be hanging out in bars and they should not be on social networking sites, period. COPPA should be vastly expanded.

Social media is our generation's nicotine. "Wait, it's HOW dangerous??" followed by the next generation's "How could those idiots not realize?"

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic Began Around 2012 by kenjackson on Wednesday February 08, 2023 @07:33PM (#34717950)

I think with social media, the problem can't be put back in the box. With mass communication mechanisms, kids will still replicate many behaviors over group chats, discord, Teams, etc... And realistically how are you going to keep apps out of the hands of kids, when we can't even do it with nicotine and alcohol?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic Began Around 2012 by MuffinFlavored on Wednesday February 08, 2023 @11:45PM (#34719857)

> Children should not be hanging out in bars and they should not be on social networking sites, period.

Have you ever watched a child watch YouTube before? I don't know if comments are turned off for kids videos (maybe they are) but most kids videos have 2m+ views if not much more.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic Began Around 2012 by Andrex on Tuesday February 14, 2023 @01:17AM (#34786076)

Certain children would probably love cigarettes too, absent proper regulation.

[ Parent | on HN ]