Teenagers in New York have acknowledged that social media harms young people after a warning from the surgeon general. However, some also believe that the government and parents should not interfere with their usage of social media. The article was published on May 24, 2023, in the NYT.

Title: The Battle for Social Media: Why Teenagers Resist Attempts to Take It Away In today's world, teenagers and social media have become inseparable. They rely on it for communication, entertainment, and even validation. But recent studies suggest that excessive use of social media can lead to detrimental effects on young people's mental health. As a result, many attempts have been made to regulate social media usage among teenagers, but they have faced fierce resistance. The surgeon general's warning about the harm social media causes to young people has received mixed responses. Some teenagers agree with the assessment, while others have taken a stand against the idea of anyone taking their social media away. They argue that social media is an essential part of their social and emotional development and that it's unfair to blame it for all the problems that young people face. Moreover, teenagers have always had a strong sense of individualism, and they see attempts by parents and authorities to regulate their social media usage as a violation of their freedom. They feel that taking away their social media would be like taking away their voice, and they are not ready to give that up. Though it may seem that teenagers are blinded by their obsession with social media, they are not entirely wrong in their opinion. Social media has transformed the way young people interact with the world. It provides them with a platform to express themselves and validates their opinions. It also creates new opportunities for education, entertainment, and even activism. Taking it away would deprive them of these experiences. However, that doesn't mean that the harms of social media can be ignored. Teenagers need to understand the possible side effects of excessive use of social media and how to balance it with other activities that promote their well-being. Parents and authorities should work with them to create a healthy relationship with social media, rather than seeing it as a threat to their well-being. In conclusion, social media has become an integral part of teenagers' lives, and it's here to stay. However, that doesn't mean that the harms caused by excessive usage should be ignored. The battle for social media regulation is not about taking it away, but rather about finding a balance that benefits teenagers' mental health and overall well-being. After the surgeon general warned that social media harms young people, young New Yorkers agreed. Some also said that the government — and their parents — should back off.

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