I’m a psychoanalyst. Social media is damaging children’s inner lives in ways we don’t fully understand
Discussion has focused on behavioral outcomes. But Meta’s settlement shines a light on damage to young people’s emerging desires and identities
TL;DR
- Young people are struggling to identify their desires and passions, often preoccupied with their appearance due to social media.
- Social media platforms exploit the brain's 'Seeking system,' a drive toward wanting, turning it into compulsive behavior detached from real-world goals.
- The constant observation on social media fosters a 'false self,' shaped by external validation, leading to anxiety and a sense of unreality.
- The damage goes beyond behavioral outcomes, affecting the core of emerging identities and the capacity for authentic selfhood.
- A recent settlement with Meta highlights the need to address the deeper psychological harm caused by social media addiction in youth.