A new study in the journal Psychological Science looks at the effects of digital and social media on an adolescent’s brain. The researchers found that teenagers are more enticed to “like” a social media post if it already has many “likes,” influenced by the conformity effect. The study also found that social media photos that depict risky behavior like smoking, drinking alcohol and wearing provocative clothing don’t activate the cognitive control and response inhibition areas of the teens’ brains. This is likely to reduce cautiousness in future behavior choices, and increase the teens’ chances of committing dangerous or risky acts.
© Dr. Jamie Rishikof