Madrid (EFE).- The Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzón, will meet shortly with those responsible for digital platforms such as TikTok, META, Twitter, YouTube and Google+ to address the effects and repercussions that certain aspects of their design are having on the mental health of the population, especially young people.
This has been pointed out to EFE by Consumer sources, who have specified that Garzón has contacted them to inform them of his intention to hold a meeting as soon as possible to advance protection measures against the harmful effects that its use without control can cause in the most vulnerable population.
According to the sources, the head of Consumption has conveyed some messages to them, such as that techniques such as continuous viewing of videos, for example, “promote the constant release of dopamine in the user’s body, alter their reward system, and can induce behaviors compulsive behaviors that could be clinically considered addictive.
These mechanisms, as he has argued, “are similar to those that operate in the so-called addictions without substance, such as games of chance and instant bets.”
And all of this makes it difficult, in his opinion, for youth to adequately develop their cognitive capacity or learn to manage frustration and emotions.
“The designs of the platforms encourage disconnection from reality and there are few tools to control and limit their use,” the minister insisted.
But also, as he has argued, “there are already significant damages to the mental health of the users of these platforms”, such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem or sleep disorders.
During this legislature, Garzón has adopted some measures to try to protect young people from addictions without substance, such as the royal decree that limits online gambling advertising that came into force in stages.