Connected or chained by social media? Child and adolescent mental health in a digital era

Social media has evolved from connection to compulsion, disproportionately harming children and adolescents. Addictive designs together with developmental vulnerability fuel mental health risks and highlight the urgent need for stricter age limits and stronger protections.

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Publication Details

Journal
PLoS Medicine
Published
2026-05-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1005099
Primary Topic
Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Connected or chained by social media? Child and adolescent mental health in a digital era

Silja Kosola
PLoS Medicine
Impact of Technology on Adolescents
article

Connected or chained by social media? Child and adolescent mental health in a digital era

Silja Kosola
article en

Abstract

Social media has evolved from connection to compulsion, disproportionately harming children and adolescents. Addictive designs together with developmental vulnerability fuel mental health risks and highlight the urgent need for stricter age limits and stronger protections.

PLoS MedicineVol. 23(5)
University of Helsinki (FI), Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Impact of Technology on Adolescents
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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