Social media bans for teenagers lack evidence and pose risks, scientists say

Scientists argue that social media bans for teenagers lack solid scientific evidence and could backfire, as no experiments have tested effects on people under 16 and studies on adults show weak, mixed, or even harmful results. Researchers warn that enforcement of such bans raises ethical concerns including privacy invasion and disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, and that banned youth may miss important resources available through social media platforms.