Tips to help protect your child’s mental health from harmful social media use

Social media can be a great tool to help build connections, stay informed and engage with others. However, when it becomes all-consuming and potentially damaging to adolescent brain development, it may be cause for concern.  

Social media can be a great tool to help build connections, stay informed and engage with others. However, when it becomes all-consuming and potentially damaging to adolescent brain development, it may be cause for concern.  

A new survey from the Pew Research Center shows nearly half of teens describe their online activity as “almost constant” — which is roughly double the amount from a survey taken in 2014-2015. That includes 71% of teens who say they visit YouTube on a daily basis, making it the top platform measured in the survey.

Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory that calls attention to the potential harmful effects social media has on children’s mental health. According to the report, 95% of teens ages 13-17 say they use social media, with more than a third saying they use it “almost constantly.”

In addition, 40% of children ages 8-12 use social media, even though most platforms require users to be at least 13 to participate.

According to a study in the report, teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media face twice the risk of experiencing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Other potential issues referenced in the report include:

• Body dissatisfaction, or disordered eating behaviors
• Social comparison
• Lower self-esteem
• Poor sleep

“With the amount of time children are spending online, we’re seeing the effects social media can have on their overall development,” said Dr. Donald Tavakoli, national medical director for behavioral health at UnitedHealthcare. “While there are positive aspects of social media, what we’re often seeing is an increased rate of harmful comparison, limited in-person interaction, feelings of loneliness and an uptick in mental health issues, like anxiety and depression.”

This advisory comes as youth mental health remains in a state of crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 children have a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder and only about 20% of those children receive care from a mental health provider.

As a parent, these findings may be alarming. On top of that, tackling the issues surrounding social media use may feel overwhelming, but there are a few tips to consider that may help you and your child be more informed about its use and  reduce harm.

Having a bit of background on the latest social media apps can help parents create better limits and boundaries for their kids. As a child’s brain goes through dramatic developmental changes, in early adolescence this can include sensitivities associated with a desire for attention, as well as underdeveloped self-control. Social channels that promote “likes” or excessive scrolling may pose issues for developing brains. Limit chat functions, especially with strangers, and restrict inappropriate content.

Set guidelines and boundaries when it comes to your family’s social media use. This can be agreed-upon expectations of what social media use looks like to your family, including screen time limits, online safety and protecting personal privacy. The Academy of Pediatrics has a template that can guide you through the process.

Initiate open and honest conversations, without judgment, with your child about their activity on social media on a regular basis. Ask them about what they see on social media and pose hypothetical questions on how they would respond to different scenarios. Ensure they know the signs of cyberbullying and how permanent an online post can be.

It can be helpful to restrict electronic use at least one hour before bedtime and through the night. Studies show two or more hours of screentime in the evening can greatly disrupt the melatonin surge needed to fall asleep. Keep mealtimes free from technology and encourage in-person conversations. Encourage children to foster in-person friendships and build social skills.

Children often learn by watching your behaviors and habits, so make sure you’re limiting the time you spend on social media and be responsible with what you choose to post. When you are on your device, tell your children what you’re doing.

While the Surgeon General’s advisory focuses on the potential negative impacts of social media use on children and teens, it also acknowledges social media can provide some benefits. It can be helpful in creating community connection over shared interests, abilities and identities or provide space for self-expression. Encouraging children to form healthy relationships with technology is critical. 

“Unfortunately, we as adults and parents cannot afford to wait to understand the full impact of social media,” Dr. Tavakoli said. “Critical brain development in adolescents is happening now and it’s crucial for parents to play a role in helping their children navigate social media in a safe and healthy way.”