How Social Media Algorithms Influence Teenagers’ Minds
Social media is a central part of teenage life, but its impact goes beyond what is visible. Algorithmic design prioritizes screen time and constant search for stimuli, conditioning emotions and behaviors. Child psychiatrists warn that this mechanism affects how young people build their identity, compare themselves to others, and manage frustration. Science is beginning to unravel how algorithms shape the developing brain.
What is an algorithm and why does it matter
According to Andrés Luccisano, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Italian Hospital, an algorithm “does not distinguish between positive and negative: it only amplifies what arouses interest.” In practice, this means that a teenager can see unattainable lifestyles or extraordinary achievements, reinforcing harmful comparisons.
Self-esteem and mental health at risk
Fabián Triskier, a specialist at Ineco, explains that social media “idealize body and social models,” which impacts girls more strongly, the anguish of being excluded from events or gatherings. The result can be anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in those who are forming their identity.
The lure of immediate gratification
Each “like” activates reward circuits. Luccisano summarizes it: “Immediate pleasure is the main hook that sustains consumption.” Triskier adds that the teenage brain naturally seeks quick gratification, while emotional self-regulation matures later. The design of the platforms reinforces this imbalance, making it difficult to wait or postpone rewards.
Impact on concentration and learning
According to Triskier, “the habit of immediate gratification affects inhibitory control,” essential for studying or planning. Luccisano adds that intolerance to boredom generates anxiety: any emotional void is filled with another digital dose, reducing motivation and frustration tolerance.
Experts agree that prevention begins in childhood. They recommend delaying exposure to cell phones as much as possible, limiting their use in school, and supervising. They also suggest creating “screen-free zones” at home, setting time limits, and discussing with children the content they consume.
For both professionals, the key is to promote emotional autonomy and critical thinking. “Autonomy is not bought: it is built from childhood,” emphasizes Luccisano. Triskier, in line, warns that the virtual world is not a safe haven, but a space with risks that must be managed.
