New Research: Social Media Use Yields Brain Changes in Teens [Content Made Simple]
Issue #293: Meta fined, creator economy trends, and more.
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TOP OF THE WEEK
Social Media Use Is Linked to Brain Changes in Teens, Research Finds
Quote:
The effect of social media use on children is a fraught area of research, as parents and policymakers try to ascertain the results of a vast experiment already in full swing. Successive studies have added pieces to the puzzle, fleshing out the implications of a nearly constant stream of virtual interactions beginning in childhood.
A new study by neuroscientists at the University of North Carolina tries something new, conducting successive brain scans of middle schoolers between the ages of 12 and 15, a period of especially rapid brain development.
The researchers found that children who habitually checked their social media feeds at around age 12 showed a distinct trajectory, with their sensitivity to social rewards from peers heightening over time. Teenagers with less engagement in social media followed the opposite path, with a declining interest in social rewards.
Commentary:
Interesting article and research here.
THE TRIVIA QUESTION
In what country is the movie/book The Jungle Book set?
Answer at the bottom.
HITTING THE LINKS
Link #1: YouTube Predicts What Will Go Viral In 2023
Will be fun to see how this plays out.
On the latest episode of YouTube’s official trends podcast, company representatives discuss the video trends they predict will dominate the platform in 2023.
From the resurgence of travel content to the continued growth of YouTube Shorts, the hosts share their insights on what creators and viewers can expect to see in the coming year.
Link #2: Ireland fines Meta over $400 million for its targeted advertising practices
Good.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined Meta over its handling of user data, following hundreds of millions of dollars in similar fines and potentially putting parts of its ad business at risk. The DPC announced today that Meta must pay €210 million (around $222 million) for violating European Union privacy rules with Facebook’s practices, plus €180 million (around $191 million) over similar violations with Instagram.
Link #3: What to expect from the creator economy in 2023
Great insight here.
Social media platforms and creator-focused startups haven’t looked too hot this year, as companies like Snapchat, Patreon, Cameo and Meta all waged layoffs along with the rest of the tech industry. YouTube ad revenue is declining, and creator funds for platforms like Pinterest have dried up.
It might seem like things are bad on the surface, but the creator economy is more than just a buzzword that’s losing interest among venture capitalists. Despite challenges on a platform level, creators are continuing to make a living outside of the bounds of traditional media and will only continue to grow in 2023.
THE FUNNY PART
You can subscribe to The Funnies here. (It is a weekly email of funny internet content, and it will always be free.)
Trivia Answer: India
Hey Chris! Any chance I can sign up and receive The Wolf in their Pockets even if I come from Australia? :)