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October 17, 2025—What experts wish parents knew about social media. Plus, how to see the Lemmon comet in the next few days, and flu is surging in Japan. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | Buyenlarge/Contributor/Getty Images | | This week Instagram announced that it would limit the content its teenage users can see, using the same PG-13 ratings system used by the film industry. Plus, they revealed new safety features (scheduled to roll out early next year) for teenagers who use the platform's "AI characters," which are artificial intelligence chatbots. Parents will be able to read transcripts of conversations between their kids and the bots, and they can block their children from having conversations with bots altogether. Additionally, Instagram will limit conversations of certain inappropriate topics, including self-harm, eating disorders and romance. Why this is happening: The effect of social media and AI on kids is under scrutiny. Studies have found chatbots can make teens feel liked or even loved. Unfortunately, they can also encourage dangerous, and sometimes, deadly behaviors, such as self-harm, violence, and even suicide. Last month, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced new teen safety features such as parental controls. What the experts say: "Social media companies make money not just by selling ads but by collecting fine-grained data about what your child watches and reacts to and then monetizing those data by literally selling your child's attention to the highest bidder in the hopes of getting their money today or building a new lifelong customer for the future," says Laura Edelson, a computer scientist at Northeastern University who studies social media algorithms and transparency. In general, AI and social media companies offer parents and young users very little transparency about how their tools and content algorithms work, and therefore what content is shown to kids, she says. What can be done: Talk to kids about all this, says Edelson. Here's a roadmap: - Talk to kids about how the platform's business model works. Make sure they understand that social media companies are selling their attention and engagement.
- Remember that algorithmic feeds are designed to maximize usage, not well-being. Explain to kids how these algorithms work, scroll through their feed with them, and remember you can set limits without banning social media.
- Although content moderation exists, don't count on it. Don't assume the system will catch everything, Edelson writes. She recommends asking open-ended questions about your kids' social media experiences, and keep in mind that different platforms have different rules and different enforcement measures.
- Sit down together and go through the platform's ad preferences and privacy settings. Talk about what the settings do and decide together what's right for your child—and your family.
| | The comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is currently in the western sky after sunset, not far from the Big Dipper, and is well placed for viewing as the sky gets dark. The comet will be closest to Earth on October 21, when it passes within 55 million miles (89 million kilometers) of our planet, and will be best viewed through early November. Comet Lemmon will hang above the star Arcturus, to the left of the Dipper. Because the comet will be fairly low in the sky, the best time to see it will be soon after dusk, with the sweet spot coming around one hour after sunset. Binoculars may be necessary to view the comet's wispy tail, which is a result of high-speed particles from the sun pushing gas and dust away from the comet's nucleus. | | Amanda Montañez; Source: Stellarium with additions by Bob King (reference) | | This chart represents the view from the U.S. Midwest region, facing northwest, as soon as the sky turns dark. | | | | |
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| | Teenagers desire status and respect. Their brains are inherently attuned to social cues, which means social media is particularly enticing and potentially harmful in certain circumstances. But some studies have shown that the very way they think can be a route to empowering teens. In 2019, instead of telling kids to avoid ultraprocessed foods, researchers showed more than 300 eighth graders in Texas investigative reports revealing that food company executives use unhealthy ingredients and target children in their marketing. The students were outraged and began to see healthy eating as a way of taking a stand against being manipulated. Give teenagers the truth—and the respect to wrestle with it—and they'll build their own kind of armor against the world. | | What do you think is the best way for teens to navigate social media? Let me know by emailing: newsletters@sciam.com. And have a great weekend. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor
With contributions by Andrea Tamayo | | | | |
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