Recently I discussed findings from the Center for Countering Digital Hate that suggested TikTok’s algorithm promoted self-harm and eating disorder content to teenagers. A new study goes even further, saying that all social media platforms appear to make children and adolescents embarrassed by the way they look. The youth mental health charity stem4 surveyed over 1,000 people aged 12 to 21. They found that three out of every four children as young as 12 dislike their bodies. That percentage increased to eight out of 10 among adolescents 18 to 21. Nearly half of those surveyed said they have become withdrawn, started exercising excessively, stopped socializing, or harmed themselves because they are bullied or trolled online about their physical appearance. Since 97 percent of children 12 and older are on social media, it’s worth examining the effect that it has on the health of our youngest generation.
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