Big Tech and the Impact on Childhood

Last week, major tech firms found themselves under scrutiny as Mark Zuckerberg testified regarding Instagram’s harmful effects in a significant lawsuit. The case was brought by a young California woman, referred to as KGM, who claims that social media ruined her formative years.

The situation surrounding KGM is truly alarming. The allegations include issues like sextortion, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Outside the courthouse, there have been even more heart-wrenching stories, with families commemorating children they say fell victim to online pressures.

However, it’s crucial for parents to acknowledge that even if their child doesn’t experience severe consequences, it doesn’t imply they aren’t affected by social media in harmful ways.

Childhood has been radically transformed by big tech firms, often seeming indifferent to children’s welfare.

I personally joined Facebook at 10, Instagram at 11, and Tumblr around 12—common experiences for Generation Z.

Initially, Instagram seemed harmless—a way to share dog photos and see what friends were enjoying. But it swiftly morphed into something I wasn’t equipped to handle.

By the time I hit 12, I noticed strange men, frequently from other countries, commenting on my innocent photos from school dances and beach outings. Although I learned to ignore them, it made me hyper-aware of my sexuality far too soon. It was overwhelming.

At the same time, female influencers unintentionally shaped my perceptions of beauty.

Thanks to Instagram, I began to see the Kardashians’ altered images as the standard. Exposure to self-harm and eating disorder content arrived uninvited, as did pornographic material before I really understood what sex was.

Even as someone who generally avoided trouble, like many peers, I found myself influenced by online figures.

My evolving political views were also heavily swayed by YouTube. During middle school, the algorithm pushed me towards the socialist channel “Young Turks,” flooding my mind with anti-capitalist thoughts. Later, trying to filter through opinions amid the clamor, I encountered a slew of contrary right-wing views from influencers such as Steven Crowder.

If you ask someone from my generation—60% of us agree that social media has a more negative than positive overall impact.

Take Alana, a 27-year-old copywriter from Chicago, who also ventured online at a young age. She started with Facebook at 10, followed by Instagram and Tumblr at 12, the latter being especially detrimental.

“Initially, I thought I got it,” she said. “But diving deeper, I was inundated with content about eating disorders and self-harm, which created this sad girl persona that was oddly captivating.”

“It only deepened my already typical self-esteem issues as a teen,” Alana reflected. “Tumblr made everything feel darker.”

She admitted, “It offered me ideas I wouldn’t have found otherwise. For instance, I learned how to extract the blade from a razor for shaving because of a post on Tumblr.”

Although her parents kept an eye on her messages, they weren’t as aware of what Tumblr really was, leaving her exposed to disturbing content like crash diets and explicit images.

Ensuring children’s safety online remains a key concern. Nowadays, some parents overlook Roblox, a gaming platform that, while seemingly innocent, has been linked to predators reaching out to kids. Lawsuits have surfaced across the nation, alleging outrageous incidents, including predators sending sex toys and coercing children into self-harm on video.

In response, lawmakers have proposed banning social media for users under 16. Still, when Australia placed age restrictions, children merely migrated to niche apps that even parents haven’t heard of.

But change is on the horizon. Some schools have begun to prohibit cell phone use, while many parents are delaying the introduction of devices entirely. In fact, for many, even the school environment proved unsafe.

Gary, a 26-year-old doctoral student from Dallas, remembers when his school district was among the first in Texas to roll out technology in classrooms. It was meant to be a game-changer, encouraging parents to get devices for their kids.

“It was super exciting initially,” he reflected. “I felt like we were paving the way for something new. Yet now, looking back, it clearly turned into a disaster.”

When his parents got him a cell phone at 10, encouraged by the school, he soon found himself spending three to four hours daily online—sometimes nearly the whole day.

This was, unfortunately, a long-lasting issue, as teachers often seemed indifferent to the growing addictions among students.

“I was glued to my phone constantly. They just didn’t care,” he shared.

The consequences are now evident, leading to a significant need for remedial support in colleges.

“I really support technology in education,” Gary stated, “but I want to ensure we learn better practices for our future generations.”