Dark truth of social media as US pre-teen girl suicides soar 150% & self-harm TRIPLES, Netflix’s Social Dilemma reveals
SOCIAL media has led to a TRIPLING of self-harm among pre-teens in the US and a 150 per cent rise in suicides, Netflix's new documentary reveals.
The "horrifying" epidemic of misery emerged after kids became exposed to sites such as Facebook and Twitter on their phones a decade ago, experts say.
It has left them afraid to take normal risks like learning to drive or asking a boy or girl out on a date.
He said: "There has been a gigantic increase in depression and anxiety for American teenagers which began right around between 2011 and 2013."
The experts also explain how sinister algorithms - which even the programmers don't fully understand - control what content people see.
Computers twist people's perception of reality, fueling viral conspiracy theories, rampant misinformation and political polarization.
Experts warn these all-powerful AI machines pose a threat not only to democracy but to humanity's very existence.
“Never before in history have 50 designers made decisions that would have an impact on two billion people,” says former Google exec Tristan Harris in the film.
The interviews are interweaved with a dramatization of the devastating impact of social media on a typical American family.
Horrified viewers branded it the "scariest thing on Netflix" and said they were ready to "throw away their phones".
The 90-minute documentary is available to watch now on .
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.