Is Your Child’s Brain Being Rewired by Social Media? "The Science Says Yes"
By age 10, children's brains shift toward seeking approval and attention; adolescence triggers changes in the brain’s reward system, increasing oxytocin and dopamine
Social media activates the brain’s reward centers, reinforcing the need for validation. The ventral striatum, linked to social rewards, becomes hypersensitive due to social media
Dr. Michelle Shah supports Australia’s proposed ban on social media for children under 16, citing its negative mental health effects
A University of North Carolina study found that frequent social media use alters brain development, making teens more sensitive to social feedback
Social media harms mental health, exposes teens to harmful content, promotes unrealistic body ideals, and weakens real-world social skills
Excessive social media use harms focus, sleep, and creativity while fueling comparison and low self-esteem
Limiting social media boosts real-world achievements, well-being, and sleep while strengthening emotional resilience