If I can’t control my media use, what chance does my 8 year old have?
I think this is a crisis that we adults are all overlooking because we’re so addicted to the same tech.
I was raised in the “just say no” era by two parents who were daily cannabis users. Suffice it to say that Nancy Reagan didn’t have much of an impact when I saw my parents getting high every night.
Media addiction is easy to overlook because it’s so socially acceptable and the addictive chemicals are in our brains; not supplied by a substance.
I hope MAMA is going to make a huge difference; as well as great articles like this one.
Thanks for featuring our terrific Surgeon General, Vivek Murphy, and his new campaign to put warnings on social media. It is a start and, just like warnings on tobacco and seat belts, it makes a difference. We have to be aware there was a lot of corporate fightback and misinformation before those warnings were adopted. Hopefully, these will be adopted faster since there seems to be some bipartisan support for them
Or perhaps we can declare a state of emergency and quarantine all social media for all ages for "just two weeks" (right!) and also have a smartphone buyback program (like they do for guns) as well. I am only half-joking about that.
With all due respect, this push by Haidt, Twenge, et al. really kinda misses the mark, and is also dangerously misguided. Renowned sociologist Mike Males really helps set the record straight.
Yes, we all know that social media has a dark side. For all ages, in fact. Just like the offline world does. But most of the dangers of both have been greatly exaggerated, while the real dangers of living as a youth in the 21st century are all too often ignored at the same time. And broad-stroke bans and restrictions would very likely do far more harm than good.
And also be sure to check out Christopher Ferguson's research as well, particularly his book "Moral Combat".
Thank you so much for this article!
If I can’t control my media use, what chance does my 8 year old have?
I think this is a crisis that we adults are all overlooking because we’re so addicted to the same tech.
I was raised in the “just say no” era by two parents who were daily cannabis users. Suffice it to say that Nancy Reagan didn’t have much of an impact when I saw my parents getting high every night.
Media addiction is easy to overlook because it’s so socially acceptable and the addictive chemicals are in our brains; not supplied by a substance.
I hope MAMA is going to make a huge difference; as well as great articles like this one.
Thanks for featuring our terrific Surgeon General, Vivek Murphy, and his new campaign to put warnings on social media. It is a start and, just like warnings on tobacco and seat belts, it makes a difference. We have to be aware there was a lot of corporate fightback and misinformation before those warnings were adopted. Hopefully, these will be adopted faster since there seems to be some bipartisan support for them
Great piece.
“They are the consequence of unleashing powerful technology without adequate safety measures, transparency or accountability.”
I appreciated this quote, and the fact that you point out that these are systemic problems. Yes!
This isn’t merely a parental problem, it’s a cultural and societal one. Glad to see it finally being treated as such!
If we really want to solve the Big Tech problem, here's how to throw the proverbial One Ring into the fire for good:
https://21debunked.blogspot.com/2024/01/how-to-solve-big-tech-problem-without.html
Or perhaps we can declare a state of emergency and quarantine all social media for all ages for "just two weeks" (right!) and also have a smartphone buyback program (like they do for guns) as well. I am only half-joking about that.
With all due respect, this push by Haidt, Twenge, et al. really kinda misses the mark, and is also dangerously misguided. Renowned sociologist Mike Males really helps set the record straight.
https://mikemales.substack.com/p/the-cdcs-massive-new-survey-shows
https://mikemales.substack.com/p/new-cdc-survey-also-show-the-stampede
Yes, we all know that social media has a dark side. For all ages, in fact. Just like the offline world does. But most of the dangers of both have been greatly exaggerated, while the real dangers of living as a youth in the 21st century are all too often ignored at the same time. And broad-stroke bans and restrictions would very likely do far more harm than good.
And also be sure to check out Christopher Ferguson's research as well, particularly his book "Moral Combat".