A research team from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has recently published a study in the journal PLOS One. According to their findings, social media platforms have generated more than $11 billion in advertising revenue from American youth users.
The source of this revenue comes from an evaluation of social media users under the age of 18, including those on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Youtube, and X. The research team referenced surveys and population data from Common Sense Media and Pew Research in 2022, as well as information from Insider Intelligence’s research office and the amount of time youth spend on social media each day from the Parental Control app, Qustodio, to create a data model to estimate the revenue.
Led by professor Bryan Austin, the research team stated that social media platforms generate an enormous amount of revenue from users. However, they are not able to effectively manage and supervise the content on their platforms. This lack of control has contributed to mental health problems, stress, and anxiety, particularly among youth users. Therefore, it is crucial to increase government oversight and improve transparency in content regulation by technology companies. These measures can help alleviate mental health issues in young people and mitigate the harmful effects of advertising on both children and adults.
In recent times, experts and lawmakers have expressed concerns about the negative impact of social media, as algorithms may lead to excessive platform usage, especially among users under the age of 18. Consequently, several states, such as New York and Utah, have passed legislation this year in an attempt to control and reduce social media usage among youth.
Additionally, in this same month of December, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed amendments to regulate the use of push notifications and prohibit ad tracking for users under the age of 13.
TLDR: A study conducted by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that social media platforms have earned over $11 billion in advertising revenue from young American users. The study emphasizes the need for increased government oversight and improved content regulation by tech companies to address mental health issues in youth caused by uncontrolled social media usage. Several states have already taken legislative action, and the Federal Trade Commission has proposed amendments to further regulate harmful practices.
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