Maine must protect teens from the negative effects of social media

Over the past 15 years, social media has permeated every aspect of our lives, especially the lives of teenagers. The harmful effects of social media have become clear in recent years, and now is the time for Maine lawmakers to finally take action to curb them.

Research clearly shows that social media use has a negative impact on the mental and social well-being of teenagers, regardless of gender. Anxiety, depression, and a variety of other mental health issues are on the rise among young people, and digital interactions, social media, and smartphones are believed to be a major root cause.

The impact of social media extends beyond mental health. Research has consistently demonstrated a negative correlation between excessive social media use and adolescents’ academic performance. Distractions from social media can interfere with concentration, disrupt sleep patterns, and lead to school refusal. All of these have a negative impact on learning outcomes and add to the significant challenges facing the education system.

At the heart of the problem is the attention economy and the addictive nature of social media platforms. Designed to capture and hold the attention of users, these platforms employ sophisticated algorithms and features that exploit psychological vulnerabilities, often inadvertently keeping young people engaged. Masu. The addictive nature of social media contributes to excessive screen time and ‘fear of missing out’, exacerbating the negative impact on adolescent well-being.

Compounding the problem is the collective action trap created by the attention economy. Although individual parents may be aware of the risks posed by social media, fear of social exclusion and peer pressure prevent many from taking decisive action. No parent wants their child to be socially marginalized or excluded from peer interactions. This is a trap that perpetuates the cycle of excessive technology usage.

Equally problematic is the fact that teens are withdrawn from activities essential to their development. Time that was once reserved for exploring the outdoors, meaningful social interaction, or just daydreaming is now lost in endless scrolling and algorithm-recommended videos. The cost is not just screen time, but more importantly, missed opportunities for growth and socialization.

Having worked in youth development for over 25 years and running device-free summer camps for teenagers, I have witnessed first-hand changes in youth’s social skills, time management, independence, and mental health. I went to Not all of these changes can be blamed on smartphones and social media, but from my doctoral research at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service, I believe a significant portion of the blame lies with digital technology. I’m confident.

Maine has a long-standing tradition of placing age limits on activities deemed harmful to the well-being of youth. Whether it’s driving, gambling, drinking, or smoking, our state recognizes the importance of delaying access to these activities until individuals reach a more mature age. Applying this same principle to social media is not a ban, but rather an effort to delay the age of first use to a more developmentally appropriate standard. Research shows that 16 years old is probably the right age.

However, Maine is one of the few states (along with Louisiana, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alabama) that has not taken steps to curb the harms resulting from social media. Neighboring states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, as well as disparate states like Florida, Maryland, California, and Utah, have taken similar measures.

Maine cannot afford to delay action any longer. Let’s prioritize the well-being of young people over the allure of technological convenience. By leveraging our state’s tradition of protective law and taking an evidence-based approach, we can create a brighter, healthier future for Maine’s youth, where they thrive both online and offline. Legislative action is essential, with a concerted effort to empower and educate parents and schools, and leverage the state’s abundant outdoor resources to build real, healthy connections between Maine’s communities. It should be complemented.

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