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Technology and social media’s effect on mental health and young minds

By James Legge III, MSN, APRN, PMHNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio

After almost two decades in the healthcare field, I have noticed several themes that cause concern not only for teenagers, but also for young adults. 

The topics are driven by direct connections between technology/social media platforms and mental health, as well as the developing brain in general.

It has been claimed that social media outlets -- and the integration of artificial intelligence into them -- comprise what is called a “free platform.” 

This is ironic because recent studies suggest that these “free platforms” are actually very costly. Of course, these costs are not necessarily measured in dollars and cents. Rather, the costs can be seen from a mental health standpoint.  

Endless scrolling, accompanied by persistent cueing and random, perceived rewards, are the same methods that gambling casinos use to draw customers to their slot machines, theoretically. 

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