Social media is a big part of our society and a way for people of all ages to connect with others. Social media is a term for internet sites and mobile apps that you can use to share content you’ve created as well as respond to content that others post, such as photos and links to information.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 95% of adolescents use some form of social media or networking. Therefore, when it comes to social media use among adolescents, it’s important to keep the following things in mind:
- Health experts and officials, including former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, have said that social media is a major threat to the mental health of teenagers.
- Social media is associated with an increased risk for having suicidal thoughts for teens who experience cyberbullying.
- Social media can affect a teenager’s sleep timing (i.e., when they go to sleep) and quality. Sleep is very important for teens and one of the most important risk factors for future suicide risk.
- More than half of teens say it would be difficult for them to give up social media.
- Social media isn’t all bad. A 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center showed social media provides teens a space for connection, creativity and support.
Helpful recommendations and tips
For parents/caregivers who support the use of social media, here are some recommendations to ensure your children stay safe and healthy in the digital world:
- For children under 18 months, avoid screen-based media except video chatting.
- For children 18 months to 24 months, parents should choose high-quality programming and watch it with their children.
- For children ages two to five, limit screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming.
- For children ages six and up, establish consistent limits on the time spent using media and the types of media.
Here are a few tips you may want to consider when it comes to online privacy and security for your children:
- Learn about personal vs private information. Remind kids that what they post on the internet is not always private. Teach your kids that their personal information is valuable.
- Use privacy settings. Sit down with your kids and modify the privacy settings on their accounts.
- Review the ‘parent centers’ or ‘family centers’ on social media platforms. These digital centers offer guides and tools to help parents monitor and even control the ability of their children to access certain content or features within each platform.
- Power up passwords. Ensure passwords are strong.
- Skip quizzes. Teach your kids to think before they click.
- When in doubt, talk it out. If your child comes across something questionable, they should feel comfortable talking to you or a trusted adult.
Develop a family plan around social media use
Every family is different, and rules around the use of technology and social media will differ in every household. It’s important to establish boundaries and limits as a family. Consider the ages of your child(ren) and include them in the conversation around rule settings. Here are five things you can consider adding to your family plan:
- Establish a plan to remove/turn off technology at bedtime.
- Establish a media-free dinnertime.
- Set rules around use of technology. For example, putting one’s phone down when having a conversation.
- Turn off notifications to avoid distractions during non-technology times.
- Establish times when it’s important to have access to technology readily available.
Remember, kids are constantly observing parent behavior. Practice putting your phone away and follow the above guidelines, too.
Mental health support
Rising rates of poor mental health among youth have been called a national crisis. Social media use has become one of the main contributors to depression, anxiety and other problems in the nation’s teenagers.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Independent Health is here to help our younger members who may be struggling with their mental health. We have a vast and wide-ranging network of mental health and substance use specialists, therapists, counselors and facilities. Members who would like to seek assistance from a behavioral health expert can use our “Find A Provider” tool to search our participating provider network.
In addition, a comprehensive list of mental health and substance use resources that are available through Independent Health as well as in the Western New York community is posted on our website.
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