Research shows restricting screen time or using parental controls does little to prevent teens from overusing social media apps.
Los Angeles: A study called Project MYST done by Meta showed that watching kids or using special tools does not stop teens from using social media too much. Meta makes Instagram. The study was done with the University of Chicago.
The study found that kids who have hard things happen to them may not be able to stop checking social media. This lawsuit says apps like TikTok and YouTube can make kids worried, sad, or not feel good about themselves. The trial is about whether these apps should be fixed.
The research asked 1,000 teens and their parents questions. Parents and kids agreed that rules and special controls did not make teens pay less attention to social media. The apps often show fun posts, send lots of alerts, and keep people scrolling without stopping.
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri said he did not remember details of the study. But he knows some kids use social media to feel better when life is hard. Meta says it uses the term “problematic use” instead of “addiction.”
Lawyers for Meta said the study was only about how teens feel, not if they are “addicted” for sure. They said things like parents fighting, mean kids at school, or a bad home life can also make teens feel sad or worried. Some of the companies in this lawsuit have already settled part of the case.