Influencer Warns Parents About Dangers of Social Media: ‘Cognitively Vulnerable’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Larissa May became a social media influencer before she graduated college, but now she warns parents about the dangers of social media.
May told TODAY.com, “I almost took my own life.”
“I was spending more time on my phone than I was with my friends, going to class, more than I was sleeping. Every single minute of the day was really consumed with my social media presence,” she added. “I would love being on the elliptical because I could work out and then also, you know, engage with people in hopes of growing my platform.”
After May realized and fixed her problem, she learned more about digital wellness.
“We’re giving kids phones without any roadmap, at the most cognitively vulnerable time of their life. But we don’t put them in cars without giving them Driver’s Ed,” she explained.
Movieguide® frequently reports on the importance of understanding a child’s cognitive development.
Not only do children see the media differently at each stage of development, but also different children are susceptible to different stimuli. As the research of the National Institute of Mental Health revealed many years ago, some children want to copy media violence, some are susceptible to other media influences, some become afraid, and many become desensitized. Just as an alcoholic would be inordinately tempted by a beer commercial, so certain types of media may tempt or influence your child at his or her specific stage of development.
In response, May launched an initiative called “SocialMediaU,” which is a part of the organization “#Halfthestory.”
#Halfthestory is “A 501c3 on a mission to empower the next generation’s relationship with tech,” says the organization’s Instagram bio.
In a post introducing SocialMediaU, May wrote, “We are thrilled to announce our transformation into a scaleable mental health education solution. Last year, I knew our team was built to impact more young people, but we didn’t have the infrastructure to do it. Today, I’m proud to announce our goal: to reach and positively impact the lives of 1 MILLION students by the year 2026!”
“To me, knowledge is power,” she continued. “When we empower young people to take control of their emotional health and digital habits, flourishing is possible.”
For anyone under the age of 12, digital wellness is just as important as physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.
“The moment that you have a baby and you’re on a phone in front of them, that device is interfering with the attachment style of your child,” May declared. She added that a child’s relationship with devices “doesn’t start as soon as your child has a device. Your children’s digital wellbeing journey starts the moment that they see that blue light for the first time.”
May understands that parents’ habits will influence their children for years.
“People really underestimate the power of small habits that can really change the way or shape the way your child sees technology,” she concluded.
Movieguide® previously reported on the damaging effects of social media:
US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has said that he believes 13 is too young for children to join social media platforms.
“I, personally, based on the data I’ve seen, believe that 13 is too early, it’s a time where it’s really important for us to be thoughtful about what’s going into how they think about their own self-worth and their relationships and the skewed and often distorted environment of social media often does a disservice to many of those children,” Murthy said.
Many large social media platforms such as Meta and Twitter currently allow users to join their platforms at the age of 13. With little regulation when it comes to age, these companies have no real incentive not to allow younger kids to join, especially when their competitors are.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
