Our 14-Year-Old Was Secretly Using Social Media. Then Our Worst Nightmare Came True
Summary
A family shares the story of their 14-year-old daughter Englyn, who struggled with mental health issues linked to hidden social media use and harmful online content. Despite parental efforts, Englyn was exposed to distressing material promoted by social media algorithms, which contributed to her tragic death by suicide.Key Facts
- Englyn received a cellphone at age 11 to stay in touch with family and friends.
- The parents knew her passcodes and checked her phone regularly but didn’t realize she downloaded secret social media apps.
- Social media platforms used algorithms that showed Englyn content about self-harm and other harmful behaviors.
- Englyn’s mental health declined, showing anxiety, depression, and self-harm before her death at age 14.
- The family found Meta (Facebook) targeted Englyn and her friends with dark, disturbing videos, including one simulating a suicide attempt.
- Despite multiple reports, the harmful video was not removed from Meta’s platform.
- Internal company documents and lawsuits claim social media companies prioritize addicting users and use predatory practices like targeting children under 13.
- Existing parental controls and screen time limits are often ineffective against these persistent algorithm-driven recommendations.
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