On the impact of social media on mental health – Meta lawsuits

Source: The post on the impact of social media on mental health is based on the article “Meta lawsuits: Big Tech will always be bad for mental health” published in “Indian Express” on 7th November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Governance – Issues relating to Health.

News: The article discusses lawsuits against Meta regarding Instagram affecting young users’ mental health. Meta is accused of creating addictive platforms that harm teens. There’s pressure globally for more social media regulation, and Meta may face heavy fines.

Background

In 2017, London teen Molly Russell took her own life after viewing self-harm content on social media. The issue of social media’s impact on youth mental health was later spotlighted in “The Social Dilemma,” a 2020 Netflix show.

On 30th September 2023, a London coroner ruled that the exposure to harmful social media content had contributed to her death “in a more than minimal way.” This ruling marks a potentially unprecedented acknowledgement of the direct impact social media can have on child safety.

What is the issue with social media?

Harmful Effects on Youth: Meta’s social media platforms, particularly Instagram, are accused of damaging teens’ mental health.

Addiction and Exploitation: Lawsuits allege that Meta’s platforms are designed to be addictive, making young users spend more time online. This is due to the exploitation of the brain’s dopamine responses, which are tied to the rewarding feeling from likes and interactions.

What are government actions?

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Meta over issues potentially harmful to youth, which may lead to hefty fines, while President Biden’s call for regulation and global attention from the UK, EU, and India signal a tightening grip on social media practices.

What should be done?

Reform Business Models: Considering a shift from an advertising-based model to a subscription model, similar to what OpenAI uses for ChatGPT. It could reduce the dependence on data monetization and user engagement for profit.

Tools and Support: Meta should continue developing and implementing tools that support teens and their families in navigating social media safely.

Accountability and Transparency: Social Media Platforms should be held accountable for the content hosted and the psychological effects of their algorithms on young users.

Global Cooperation: Meta might need to work with global regulators proactively to manage the concerns around social media’s impact on youth.

Question for practice:

Examine the steps that governments are taking to address the issues with social media’s impact on young users?