Abstract

Today’s adolescents are heavily active on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, which expose them to both accurate and misleading information. Exposure to this content can distort adolescents’ cognitive development and belief systems, making it a critical issue that requires immediate action. This essay examines how misinformation on social media influences adolescents’ perceptions of reality, shaping their beliefs and behaviors in potentially harmful ways. It explores psychological concepts like the filter bubble and confirmation bias to explain how misinformation spreads and affects adolescents at a vulnerable stage of development. The essay also suggests practical strategies for social media platforms to mitigate these negative effects. By drawing on psychological theories and recent studies, this essay highlights the urgent need to address the detrimental impact of misinformation on the cognitive and belief development of adolescents.

Keywords: Social Media, Misleading Information, Adolescents, Belief Systems, Cognitive Development

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