Erdley speaks with WLBZ about social media’s effect on adolescents
Cynthia Erdley, a psychology professor at the University of Maine, spoke with WLBZ (Channel 2) for a report about the power of social media among adolescents, including those who run away. Even though social media can often help bring minors home through awareness, it also can be a trigger for them to take off, according to the report. “One way it’s been described is that the accelerator is developing before the brakes,” said Erdley, who added the effects of social media are about brain development, reasoning and a feeling of isolation. “A lot of times the rewards are much higher than the risks; ‘I could meet this exciting person. I could start this great relationship,’” she said. To help keep children safe, Erdley suggests parents simply tune into their child and keep tabs on their media use.