What will the future look like in a society wrecked by social media’s failure to stop the spread of hate and conspiracies?
[[link removed]]Dear Friend,

This generation is growing up in a completely digital world. The internet is an
inextricable part of how they learn, communicate, socialize and spend their free
time.

This extremely online life has its advantages but also hides harms unknown for
parents, guardians and teachers. As technology quickly develops, we can feel overwhelmed and powerless trying to
protect young people from online traps.

CCDH research has exposed how social media platforms often fail to prevent kids
and teens from facing harmful content:

* In September, we showed that TikTok is turning a blind eye to influencer
videos that glorify and promote the sale of bodybuilding drugs
[[link removed]] such as steroids and steroid-like drugs. These substances are illegal for
human consumption under US law, and have the potential to cause lifelong damage to teens.
* Last December, we set up accounts as 13-year-old girls
[[link removed]] to investigate TikTok’s algorithms. Within 2.6 minutes, the platform recommended suicide content. Within 8, it served teens harmful videos about eating disorders.
* TikTok is not the only platform that harms young people. In March this year,
we explored Meta’s VR app, Horizon Worlds
[[link removed]] , and found minors being exposed to sexually explicit insults , racist comments, misogynistic and homophobic harassment.

The constant exposure to harmful material on social media affects more than
young people’s mental health - it warps their understanding of the world around
them. CCDH polled people in the US and found that teens were more likely to agree
with conspiracy statements. These were some of our findings:

* 60% of teens agreed with at least 4 conspiracies
* 69% of teens with a high degree of social media use agreed with at least 4
conspiracies

What will the future look like in a society wrecked by unregulated social media
companies? Their failures to stop the spread of hate, lies and conspiracies can have a
huge impact on our children and our communities.

Governments and legislators must act now and regulate these platforms - they owe
it to the next generations. You can write to your representative and demand
policies to protect kids and teens online.

WRITE TO CONGRESS
[[link removed]]Friend, Giving Tuesday is around the corner. In this time
of giving, consider supporting CCDH so we can continue to hold platforms
accountable for the harms they cause. Together, we can ensure the internet is a safer place for everyone, especially
to young people.

DONATE
[[link removed]]Best wishes,

The CCDH team

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General: [email protected] [[email protected]] | Press: [email protected] [[email protected]]

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