Author: Megan A. Moreno, MD, FAAP, Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP
Social media plays an important role in the lives of many tweens and teens. By 2022, more than a third (35%) of 13- to 17-year-olds will be using social media sites like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook “almost continuously” I reported it. Also, although many social media platforms have a minimum age, 38% of her 13 children aged 8 to 12 who signed up said they had used social media. .
This use of media can affect young people in a variety of ways. You may also be wondering what effect social media has on your child’s mental health, as increases in depression and anxiety have been reported among teenagers. According to research, it depends on how you use it. Understanding the potential relationship between social media and mental health can help guide children to healthy social media habits.
How social media use may benefit mental health
social connections. One of the ways children use social media is for the purpose of social connection. Sharing photos and comments on social media platforms allows you to stay in touch with colleagues and family who live far away. Teens can also join groups that represent aspects of their identity or interests, such as sports, theater, music, or LGBTQ pride and support groups.
learn. Another positive way youth use social media is to learn. Explore and follow organizations like museums, local park systems, recipe bloggers, and more. Some platforms also allow you to create and share your own content. Youth say they share their crafts, hobbies, and art with their social media audience.
Dangerous ways teens use social media
Overload. However, using social media too much can delay other important activities. Examples include seeing friends and family in person and getting enough sleep.
Unhealthy content. Social media can also expose young people to violent, dangerous, or inaccurate content. Additionally, social media can present ideal images of people, which can lead to body image issues for some teens.
Current Evidence on Social Media and Mental Health: Frequently Asked Questions
Can increased social media use lead to depression?
There’s been a lot of news lately about whether overusing social media contributes to depression.
Some studies have found that young people who use social media more are more likely to report symptoms of depression. It is important to consider that these studies were not able to determine whether increased social media use had an effect on depression.
or Whether participants who already have depression use more social media. The causal relationship between social media and depression remains unclear.
Some studies have found no relationship between social media usage and symptoms of depression. In some other studies, researchers found a small effect on depression, but only when levels of social media use were very high.
All of these studies focus on social media usage. They do not address the different ways that each unique child may use social media.
In 2020, a review article was published summarizing all the research on social media and depression from the past five years. This systematic review article is a very powerful type of study that allows us to understand evidence across multiple studies over time. The article concludes that “the most recent rigorous studies report small associations that do not distinguish between cause and effect and are unlikely to be of clinical or practical importance.”
My kids use social media, but they don’t post much. Is that wrong?
Another important consideration regarding social media and mental health is
how Your child uses social media.
Passive or active use? Some studies have shown that teens who use social media passively, such as scrolling and watching content flowing on the screen, are more likely to experience symptoms of depression. . These studies found that adolescents who used social media in more active ways, such as liking and commenting on other people’s posts and creating and sharing their own posts, had better mental health. It was also found that there were no negative effects.
These studies suggest that it’s not just the amount of time children spend on social media that matters, but also the quality of their time using social media.
What other factors may influence the impact of social media on mental health?
different levels of risk. New research studies show that not all adolescents use social media in the same way. We are also learning that some children are at risk of negative outcomes while others are not. This approach in research is called “differential susceptibility.” What this means is that adolescents have a unique combination of risks and strengths posed by their social media use, and the implications thereof.
Parent’s role. Recent research has examined possible links between technology use and health and well-being behaviors, mental health, and parenting. Two-thirds of the adolescents in this study were in good shape regarding technology use and mental health. This group was referred to as “Family Engaged Teens” because they reported having good communication with their parents about technology use. Their parents also had low levels of social media use.
A smaller group of one-third of teenage participants had higher rates of negative health outcomes such as depression and loneliness. This group was called “At Risk Teens.” This group of teen participants reported higher rates of social media use by their parents, but lower rates of communication with their parents about social media use.
Another recent study found that young people with more symptoms of depression
Parents spend up to 8 hours a day on social media. These studies highlight the important and positive role that parents can play by:
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communicating with children about social media, and
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Serve as a role model in monitoring your own social media usage.
How to encourage healthy social media habits for the whole family
Here are steps you can take to encourage your child’s active use of social media.
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Establish a family media plan for rules regarding social media use. Also, please follow the rules and set an example of healthy usage for your family.
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Talk to your child about media use, including how to use these platforms. What do they like about themselves? Did they see anything of interest? Let’s make this an ongoing conversation.
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If you use social media as a parent, be sure to model positive behavior. For example, you can put your phone away during important family times, such as dinner or family time.
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Children under 13 should use caution when using social media. Most platforms set the minimum age for sign up to be 13 years old.
Remember
If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, be sure to talk to your pediatrician.
For more information
About Dr. Moreno
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About Dr. Radesky
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The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for your pediatrician’s treatment or advice. The treatment recommended by your pediatrician may vary depending on your individual facts and circumstances.