Forbes November 21, 2025
For many families, the first smartphone or iPad has become a rite of passage. It also evokes a familiar fear: are kids being harmed by these devices, social media and short-form video apps that keep them glued to their screens? Parents worry about social media and mental health, specifically that TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms might be altering their children’s brains in ways that are damaging or irreversible.
A common question arises in school board meetings, pediatric visits and late-night conversations between anxious parents: Does social media cause brain damage?
The short answer is no. The algorithms in social media do not injure neurons or biologically harm the brain. Yet, these platforms do influence how children learn, pay attention,...
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