Authored by Amias C.
Member, Digital Wellness Lab 2025-26 Student Advisory Council
Introduction
The design of social media platforms is engineered to keep us scrolling, often at the expense of our mental health.
Here is the reality:
- 46% of US teens feel like they are “almost constantly” online.
- 94% of high schoolers experience regular mental health struggles.
- It’s not just about what we watch—it’s about how these apps are built to hijack our attention.
We can’t just rely on screen time limits to fight billion-dollar algorithms. We need systemic change.
What You Can Do
- Watch and share my full video.
- Learn more about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and how it holds tech platforms accountable.
- Talk to your peers about how these design features affect your daily life.
Amias C. is a member of the Digital Wellness Lab’s 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council, and is currently a high school sophomore in Orinda, CA.
The author of this article is a young person who has been engaging with the Digital Wellness Lab about topics of young people’s safety and wellbeing within digital environments. Here at the Lab, we welcome different viewpoints and perspectives. However, the opinions and ideas expressed here do not necessarily represent the views, research, or recommendations of the Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital, or affiliates.