Link: Parents and US lawmakers are debating whether social media has fueled a teen suicide crisis, as mental health struggles have risen sharply among young Americans (Andrew Solomon/New Yorker)

Many Americans believe that social media contributes to rising youth depression, although some experts are skeptical about this connection. Lori Schott discussed her concerns over how social media was affecting her daughter, who seemed to thrive initially after moving to Colorado but later struggled with isolation and self-esteem issues.

Constant conflicts at home related to smartphone usage led Lori to restrict her daughter's phone access. However, Annalee (Anna) developed secret social media accounts, complicating her parents' attempts to monitor her activity.

Transitioning to a new phase, Anna was socially isolated and struggled to connect with peers at school, despite significant achievements like earning a lead role in a play and a college rodeo scholarship. She faced overwhelming anxiety and depression, exacerbated by her social media interactions, where she felt increasingly unattractive and unlovable.

Lori took proactive steps by getting Anna into counseling, though their domestic struggles regarding phone use persisted. Anna's reliance on social media for validation continued to be a sore point.

Despite her achievements and a seemingly better senior year, Anna's mental health issues, dominated by her social media interactions, led to tragic consequences. Lori eventually recognized the significant impact social media had on her daughter.

In response to her daughter's severe outcome, Lori advocates for stricter regulation of social media, aligning with broader legal actions against tech companies for their role in affecting youth mental health. This transformative realization spurred Lori to seek accountability from social media companies to prevent similar outcomes for other families. #

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Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.