The meat, the toys, the ice cream... and now, TikTok. The Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzón, places digital platforms in the spotlight for their impact on the mental health of young people and from his department they advance that they will take measures against the harmful effects that their use causes in the most vulnerable population.

Sources from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs anticipate that Garzón has already contacted the heads of the main companies operating in Spain (TikTok, META, Twitter, Youtube and Google+) to "address the effects and repercussions that certain aspects of the design of these digital platforms are having on the mental health of the population, especially the youngest".

To this end, the minister has transferred to the operators several approaches on consumption habits that generate concern. Specifically, he has warned them that techniques such as infinite video scrolling, for example, promote the constant release of dopamine in the user's body, alter their reward system, and "can induce compulsive behaviors that could be considered clinically as addictive."

And he has warned them that these types of techniques are "mechanisms similar to those that operate in the so-called addictions without substance", such as gambling and instant betting. In the opinion of the Ministry, "all this makes it difficult for young people to properly develop their cognitive capacity or learn to manage frustration and emotions."

Consumo considers that "the designs of the platforms encourage the disconnection from reality" and admits that "there are few tools for controlling and limiting their use." A lack of protection that has already resulted in "significant damage to the mental health" of users of these platforms, among which, according to the Ministry, "pictures of anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem or sleep disorders" stand out.

And given this reality, Minister Garzón will meet "as soon as possible" with those responsible for the aforementioned platforms to "advance in protection measures against the harmful effects that their uncontrolled use can cause in the most vulnerable population."

  • Alberto Garzon
  • Social Media
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • YouTube

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