Out of America's 41 million youth, almost 45% feel persistently sad and hopeless. About 20% of them have considered suicide, and 10% have attempted to take their lives in the last year. These sobering statistics highlight a mental health crisis plaguing Gen Z individuals who are aged between 12 and 27 years old. Experts suggest that several factors are contributing to this epidemic: Social and academic pressure and social media are just a few. However, social media is considered one of the largest drivers of teen suicide, particularly because of its addictive design and influence on adolescent self-esteem. In addition, the algorithms these platforms use push harmful content directly into the hands of vulnerable kids.
Many advocates for safer internet use and Gen Z themselves are asking Big Tech and the Federal government if they are simply the 'experiment generation'. Now that platforms like Instagram and YouTube have been in use for about two decades, it's clear that tech isn't going away. And neither is the dopamine addiction social media creates for teens. So, what can be done to save America's youth?
