New York City Deems Social Media A Public Safety Hazard

New York City now considers social media to be a public safety hazard due to its impact on mental health. Mayor Eric Adams declared the news at the annual State of the City Address on Jan.24, making NYC the first in the nation to do so. 

In his speech, as covered by the Washington Post, Adams noted how social media can negatively impact youth of all ages, especially in regards to their mental health. He mentioned popular websites such as TikTok and YouTube for their “addictive” features that have contributed to this growing issue. 

“Companies like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features,” explained the Mayor. 

Upon this new announcement, Adams stated that the New York City Health Commissioner will be treating social media and its usage by younger age groups as a “public health crisis hazard.” Under this distinction, the city issued an advisory explaining the issue further and urging parents to monitor their children’s time spent online and advising how to implement healthy boundaries. 

With the Pew Research Center determining that nearly 95% of teens in America are present on these various apps, its correlation to the growing mental health crisis in teens cannot be overlooked. The advisory also noted that between the years of 2011 and 2021, a decade in which access and popularity in social media usage rose, rates of suicidal ideation did as well, by over 34%.

Social media is especially dangerous for Black adolescents, as racial harassment and bullying can be found across various social platforms. These instances of heightened exposure to racial discrimination, found within their time spent online, are noted to have some correlation to mental health issues, in addition to substance abuse. 

In a study conducted on the social media habits and mental health in adolescents of color, Black youth were subjected to the most racism while on social media. The study noted how racism impacts one’s mental health, with more hours spent online also correlating with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.  

The heightened exposure to racial injustice and direct harassment, often due to civic engagement via these platforms, found within social media usage, and its impact on one’s mental health is still being uncovered. However, communities nationwide are developing safety strategies to combat this possible correlation and protect the wellness of younger users, starting in New York City. 

RELATED CONTENT: How To Avoid Social Media Mishaps In The Workplace

The post New York City Deems Social Media A Public Safety Hazard first appeared on Black Enterprise.