Mixed anxiety-depressive disorders (MADD) and suicidal thoughts, online bullying, poorer self-esteem, alcohol, cannabis and psychoactive substance use… social networks exploit young people’s vulnerability and actually help boost certain disorders that they are prone to.
This is the conclusion of a large-scale report by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) which dissects the mechanisms behind digital marketing tools designed to target the specific vulnerabilities and emotional weak spots associated with adolescence.
Olivia Roth-Delgado and Thomas Bayeux are part of the team at Anses coordinating the research project. They offered to present the main teachings from this latest report.
