OPINION:
As studies and books such as Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” reveal, social media platforms are damaging their users’ mental health, especially that of young people.
Schools, including Virginia’s, are now banning smartphones in classrooms to fight distraction, while parents and educators advocate healthier boundaries. Yet even as we try to control these harms, we continue to support the platforms we know to be harmful through our own scrolling, advertising and investments.
When we hold stock in Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Alphabet (YouTube) or Snap, we’re funding the very platforms we say are harmful.
Advertising dollars poured into social media further fuel their profits, reinforcing digital dependence. Though we push for change, our actions often feed the flames we wish to douse.
It’s time to align our actions with our values. Here are steps we can take:
• Audit investments: Check to see if your investments or retirement funds include social media stocks.
• Divest: Work with a financial adviser to remove these stocks, creating a portfolio that reflects your values.
• Reallocate ad spends: Consider advertising alternatives that prioritize mental wellness.
By consciously choosing to divest from social media giants, we can promote a healthier digital environment. Let’s take a stand to stop fueling what we aim to fight. The choice is ours; let’s make it count.
GEOFF WEBER
Ashburn, Virginia
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