By Ateba Whitaker April 1, 2025 As both a professor and a mother, I have seen firsthand the emotional and psychological impact that AI-enhanced social media has on today’s youth. In conversations with students and parents, I’ve heard the same stories: teens overwhelmed by the pressure to curate a flawless online persona, often choosing to detox from platforms just to protect their mental health. These experiences resonate deeply—not only as an educator but as a parent guiding my own daughter