The city of Methuen, Massachusetts, has taken steps to limit social media usage for anyone under the age of 16 to “protect” them.The city council unanimously adopted a resolution that will block access for kids and young teens on city-owned devices and networks inside city buildings.Studies have suggested a link between social media usage and mental health concerns.Polls from Pew Research found that nearly half of teens reported social media harms people their age.In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for anyone under the age of 16.Dr. Alice Connors-Kellgren of Tufts Medical Center said it’s a good sign Methuen is taking these steps.”At this point, we have pretty conclusive research that social media is damaging to kids and adolescents’ brains and their mental health in terms of increased depression, increased anxiety, more difficulties with attention, and more difficulties with academic engagement,” Connors-Kellgren said. “So I think that if we’re starting to think about making policies about that… It’s an excellent way to raise awareness.”Experts encourage parents to ask their teens how they’re using social media and to consider placing limits of their own on the amount of content they can access.
METHUEN, Mass. —
The city of Methuen, Massachusetts, has taken steps to limit social media usage for anyone under the age of 16 to “protect” them.
The city council unanimously adopted a resolution that will block access for kids and young teens on city-owned devices and networks inside city buildings.
Studies have suggested a link between social media usage and mental health concerns.
Polls from Pew Research found that nearly half of teens reported social media harms people their age.
In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for anyone under the age of 16.
Dr. Alice Connors-Kellgren of Tufts Medical Center said it’s a good sign Methuen is taking these steps.
“At this point, we have pretty conclusive research that social media is damaging to kids and adolescents’ brains and their mental health in terms of increased depression, increased anxiety, more difficulties with attention, and more difficulties with academic engagement,” Connors-Kellgren said. “So I think that if we’re starting to think about making policies about that… It’s an excellent way to raise awareness.”
Experts encourage parents to ask their teens how they’re using social media and to consider placing limits of their own on the amount of content they can access.