A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) advocates for the development of new industry standards to mitigate potential harm and enhance the benefits of social media on adolescent mental health.
The report, analysing data from the PROTECT study, recommends creating standards aligning social media use with mental health protection, promoting media literacy education, preventing online abuse, and conducting further research to establish causal links between specific social media features and mental health.
It acknowledges that while social media can lead to issues like cyberbullying and distraction, it also offers benefits such as connecting communities and supporting learning. The report underscores the need for a multifaceted approach involving policymakers, social media companies, and healthcare professionals to address the complex relationship between social media and adolescent mental health.