One of the most common arguments used to explain why youth struggle with self-regulation online is the fact that their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and reasoning, (our biological break pedal that says “stop don’t do that”) is not fully developed until their mid-to-late twenties. This biological reality is often cited when discussing everything from impulsive social media posts to excessive screen use.
But if an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex is the reason for youth’s lack of self-regulation online, then what’s the excuse for adults whose brains are fully developed? Because if we take an honest look at online behaviour, it’s clear that many adults are just as reckless, impulsive, and emotionally driven in their digital interactions as the youth, if not more so.
Adults often complain that today’s youth lack the self-control to put down their devices, engage in civil discourse, or avoid harmful online trends. However, if we examine social media platforms, comment sections, and digital forums, we see that many adults struggle with the exact same issues. The rise of online misinformation, outrage culture, and digital peer aggression among adults reveals a level of digital irresponsibility that is difficult to ignore. Consider how often we see:
- Adults sharing misinformation without fact-checking.
- Grown professionals engaging in online arguments filled with name-calling , foul language, and personal attacks.
- Parents peer aggressing teachers, coaches, and even other parents in online groups.
- Political debates devolving into hate speech and hostility.
These behaviours mirror the very concerns adults have about youth online. So, if young people’s online missteps are explained by brain development, what explains the adults who engage in the same behaviours?
One possibility is that while adult brains are fully developed, not all adults engage in the reflective thinking needed to regulate their emotions and actions online. Just because a brain has the capacity for self-regulation doesn’t mean it will be exercised. Many adults, just like teenagers, act out of their limbic system, the brain’s emotional center, without pausing to engage the logical reasoning of the prefrontal cortex.
The limbic system, the brain’s emotional center, plays a major role in impulsive online behaviour for both teens and adults. It craves instant gratification. This system also drives emotional reactivity, leading people to post impulsively, engage in online arguments, or share misinformation before thinking through consequences. Here’s and article where we speak to the push and pull of the pre-frontal cortex and the limbic system:
While teens are often blamed for poor online choices due to their underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, adults are not immune. Even with a fully developed brain, the limbic system still influences decision-making, leading to emotional outbursts and susceptibility to misinformation. Understanding this neurological influence can help both youth and adults practice greater self-awareness and self-regulation, fostering healthier digital habits.
If adults truly want to help youth develop better online habits, they must start by modelling self-regulation themselves. Instead of blaming young people for their digital struggles, adults should take responsibility for demonstrating thoughtful, responsible, and respectful online behaviour – youth are watching us, and we are failing them!
Social media platforms were initially designed to bring people together, foster connections, and facilitate open communication. However, over the years, these platforms have been increasingly exploited by adults, particularly politicians and special interest groups, to attack others for personal and professional gain. This disturbing trend has not only normalized toxic behaviour online but also influenced teenagers, who are modelling this behaviour as a means to achieve their own ends – why?, because they see that it works for adults to get fame and fortune!
Politicians and special interest groups have been at the forefront of exploiting social media to discredit their opponents, sway public opinion, and advance their agendas. By leveraging their massive followings and manipulating online narratives, politicians can create and disseminate misinformation, bully their critics, and shape public discourse to their advantage.
This phenomenon has been particularly evident during recent election cycles and geo-political events, both nationally and internationally, where social media platforms become battlegrounds for mudslinging, character assassination, and propaganda. The consequences of this toxic behaviour are far-reaching, contributing to the erosion of civil discourse, the polarization of society, and the manipulation of public opinion.
Teenagers are absorbing the toxic behaviour modelled by adults. By witnessing politicians and other influential figures using social media to belittle, bully, and manipulate others, teenagers are learning that these tactics are effective and acceptable.
As a result, we are anecdotally seeing that teenagers are increasingly using social media to attack their peers, spread rumours, and engage in online harassment. This behaviour not only reflects the toxic culture perpetuated by adults, but also has serious consequences for the mental health and well-being of young people.
The normalization of toxic behaviour by adults on social media has far-reaching implications for society as a whole. By tolerating and even encouraging online harassment, bullying, and manipulation, we are creating a culture that values winning at all costs over empathy, kindness, and respect – this isn’t our kids faults, this is our fault as adults.
This toxic culture has already begun to seep into other areas of our lives, including schools, workplaces, and communities. As teenagers grow into adults, we believe it will carry this toxic behaviour with them, perpetuating a cycle of online hostility and aggression.
To break this cycle, it is essential that adults, particularly politicians, take responsibility for modelling positive behaviour on social media. This means engaging in respectful dialogue, listening to opposing viewpoints, and promoting empathy and understanding. Wishful thinking given today’s political environment? – perhaps!
Adults often criticize youth for their lack of self-regulation online, pointing to brain development as the reason for their impulsive behaviours. However, if this explanation holds, what justifies the reckless digital conduct of fully developed adults? The reality is that many adults fail to engage their prefrontal cortex, instead reacting emotionally and impulsively, just like the youth they condemn. Worse yet, they model toxic online behaviour, spreading misinformation, engaging in digital aggression, and using social media as a battleground for personal and political gain.
If we truly want young people to develop responsible digital habits, we must first hold ourselves accountable. Social media was intended to foster connection, but adults, particularly politicians and influential figures, have weaponized it, normalizing hostility and manipulation. Teenagers are watching and learning from this example, perpetuating the cycle of online toxicity.
In other words we adults need to talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to online civility, media literacy, and digital citizenship.
Breaking this cycle requires a conscious commitment from adults to model the digital responsibility we expect from youth. This means fact-checking before sharing, engaging in respectful discourse, and recognizing the real-world consequences of our online actions when it comes to our kids. Youth may still be developing the capacity for full self-regulation, but adults have no such excuse. Self-regulation isn’t just a function of brain development, it’s a choice, a responsibility, and a standard we must all uphold as the adults.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not Not Tech
Note: research psychologists like Dr. Daniel Romer, Dr. Valerie Reyna, and Dr. Theodore Satterthwaite propose an alternative view to the underdeveloped pre-frontal cortex of the teen brain as the reason why teens make bad choices that we thought the reader may be interested in. They suggest that teenager’s natural curiosity and need for exploration might be more influential factors when it comes to bad decision making than it is their still-developing prefrontal cortex. Their research challenges the conventional wisdom on why teens take risk and make bad decisions, offering another perspective on adolescent behaviour that we speak to in this article.
