What This Lawsuit Teaches Us About Social Media
You might have read in the news that there was a lawsuit including Meta and YouTube. They lost a landmark court case alleging that they have been negligent in using addictive formats and that teenagers have paid the price. The plaintiff, 20-year-old Kaley G.M., accused them of creating products that are as addictive as cigarettes or casinos.
You might also know that Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a warning in 2023 that parents should restrict social media use for their children until age 14 at the absolute earliest. Might I suggest that your child's 14th birthday isn't day one for social media, either. In my humble opinion, social media and technology are one of the major contributing factors to the spike in anxiety and depression we see in this generation.
None of us are surprised. So why am I writing about it?
I have been thankful to be a part of a community of families who have rightly recognized the inherent danger of handing our kids the whole internet too early. Years ago, I used to be friends with all the students on Facebook, Instagram, or MySpace (yep). I used to have a platform to directly communicate with all of my students, but it's not that way anymore, and for good reason! Times have changed, and parents are making wise decisions for their kids' health. But that doesn't mean your kids stopped putting pressure on you.
Your teenager is being shaped every day by what they watch, what they laugh at, and what they compare themselves to. The algorithm is very good at what it does. It is consistent, personalized, and emotionally engaging. It never gets tired, and it never stops paying attention to what captures theirs. But this doesn’t mean parents are powerless. It simply means the method has to shift. We are not called to out-control the algorithm. We are called to out-disciple it.
What can families do to create healthy technological rhythms in their family?
Hold the line on your convictions. Now is not the time to be their friend and cave into their desires. Let go of the idea that your kids will thank you for giving them boundaries. You know that God has called you to lead in your home. Don't let up.
Keep a laser focus on the effects of technology and media in your home. Lean in when necessary. Do a digital fast for your home if need be. Don't be afraid to add restrictions when you see the strain.
Don't underestimate your influence. They might not appreciate it now or even look like they care. Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? You didn't appreciate it either (at least you didn't then). Maybe the best thing for you to do is to help them understand the why behind the boundaries.
Recently, when considering a personal parenting decision, I had a clarifying thought: picture yourself in ten years with the regret of wishing you had done something different. That burst of clarity led me to grab the bull by the horns and get in the game in a way that I wasn't just days earlier. You are in that season right now! So, get creative and get in the fight. Now is the time when those big decisions are being made. It may not be easy, but it's worth it!
Keep going!
mc