Amid growing concerns regarding the effects of social media on teenagers' behaviors and the conflicting scientific studies that are still insufficient in this area, American billionaire Elon Musk has issued a warning. "A lot of social media is bad for kids, as there is extreme competition between social media AIs to maximize dopamine!" Musk stated on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), on May 23, 2024.
He acknowledged that platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others are detrimental to children. During an interview with "Viva Technology," excerpts of which were shared on his X account on Thursday evening, he explained that many social media platforms are harmful to kids. He noted that there is "intense competition among the AI programs used by these platforms to maximize dopamine!"
Some scientific studies have linked these applications, particularly TikTok, to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among teenagers. These studies have shown that certain notifications users receive from these platforms, especially likes or positive comments, trigger a surge of dopamine in the brain, leading them to continue using the apps for what is termed as "instant gratification." However, other scientists dispute this hypothesis, denying that social media is responsible for elevating dopamine levels, which is colloquially referred to as the "happiness hormone."
