Last week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the Senate Judiciary Committee that there is no link between social media and negative mental health outcomes among young people.

Zuckerberg’s statement was met with disbelief by many on the committee, who are familiar with stories of children enduring cyberbullying, extortion over explicit photos, and social media posts that glorify or encourage harmful practices. Moments later, he faced parents of children harmed by social media and apologized to them.

To support his claim, Meta referred reporters to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence as evidence. "We agree with Zuckerberg when he said that it’s 'important to look at the science'—as psychologists, we have actually done so," stated Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD. "And as APA’s chief science officer and a longtime researcher into the impact of social media on kids, I can say that Zuckerberg cherry-picked data to suit his purposes."

The APA advisory showed that social media is related to psychological harm through online discrimination, prejudice, hate, and cyberbullying. Research has found that young people face serious risks when exposed to content about self-harm or eating disorders. The advisory also outlined why certain features on social media can be harmful to young people whose brains have not yet fully developed.

"The potential for harm is baked into Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms if young people use them as intended," Prinstein explained. Features like follower counts exploit children’s desire for social reward and acceptance. The endless scroll challenges their ability to limit screen time before brain development in neural inhibition centers is complete. Friending and direct messaging functions may expose minors to predators. Research shows ongoing engagement on these platforms causes sleep deprivation in youths, affecting mood, academic performance, and brain development.

Social media can promote benefits such as socialization and peer support for marginalized groups or isolated kids. However, awareness of its dangers is crucial for safe access to these benefits.

"Social media companies could do much more to minimize harm for young people," said Prinstein. Dismissing mental health dangers while addressing grieving parents did not help make their case. Zuckerberg stated “no one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered”—a sentiment echoed by calls for age-appropriate controls and removal of harmful content.

The adolescent years are crucial for brain development; thus teen brain maturation makes this life stage risky for social media use. While not causing the youth mental health crisis directly, these platforms exacerbate concerns during teenage years due to their intended usage design.

"This problem will not be solved by limiting access to these apps on mobile devices," asserted Prinstein. Real change requires modifying app features and prioritizing children's psychological health over profit from data extraction.

Most CEOs facing the Senate committee declined support for proposed solutions making their way through Congress—a stance taken at their peril according to Prinstein: "These companies have demonstrated a lack of will to police themselves; it is past time for social media companies to implement processes to protect our kids."

Prinstein concluded with a poignant question: "How many more times will Zuckerberg apologize before real change is made?"

Mitch Prinstein, PhD., serves as chief science officer of the American Psychological Association.

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