In today’s digital age, cell phones and social media have become integral parts of our daily lives, especially for children and adolescents. While these technologies offer numerous benefits, they also pose significant risks to mental health. This blog post explores the effects of cell phone usage and social media on children’s mental health.
Social Media Usage in Kids & Teens
When we think about youth and technology, social media often comes to mind—and for good reason. A whopping 95% of teens aged 13-17 and 40% of kids aged 8-12 use social media platforms, something many adults didn’t experience in their younger years. Today’s popular platforms among kids and teens include TikTok, Instagram, and more.
You may not think of YouTube as a social media site, but YouTube is a community-based platform that is reliant on subscribers, likes, and comments like many other platforms. in 2022, 95% of teens reported using YouTube. TikTok was the second most popular with 67% of teens using the app.
Social media is designed to be addictive.
While social media has a negative connotation when it comes to children and teens, there are some benefits when it comes to self-expression and connection. Teens generally report having positive experiences online, but there is a dark side. Social media is designed to be addictive and provides immediate and constant entertainment. In fact, 54% of teens say it would be very or somewhat hard to give up social media. The never-ending notifications, drama, and always trying to stay up to date is overwhelming. In 2022, 38% of teens said that what they see on social media makes them feel overwhelmed. It is important to talk to your kids about setting limitations on social media usage.
Comparisons
Kids today are constantly seeing the best of everything and everyone. This can lead to comparing themselves and their lives to others – especially when likes and follows are the cornerstone of social media popularity.
Gone are the days of magazine models and billboard celebrities. Social media is used by everyone these days, including influences whose job is to create advertisements and sell products. Their demographics can include teens and kids. This type of content may lead kids to unfairly comparing themselves to perfectly curated and photoshopped content. This content is not required to be labeled as edited! Remind kids and teens that what they may see online is not a realistic reflection of someone’s life – it is a curated experience designed to sell products.
Online Popularity
For a lot of kids, social media is a part of their identity, and it is used to express themselves. When they are comparing their profile/s to others and don’t have as many views, likes, followers, or comments – that can translate into a very real-life experience. If their peers are more popular online, teens can feel inadequate. As caretakers and parents, remember that these feelings are valid.
Remind your kids of the people who care about them, their real friends, and experiences offline that are meaningful.
So, what can families to do to help kids navigate a social media world?
- Remind young people that social media often shows only the best moments. People don’t post about their failures or bad days.
- Encourage offline interactions. Spending time with others in person reduces screen time and helps avoid the triggers of social media, building resilience against FOMO.
- Encourage limiting time online.
- Give young people and kids the opportunity to set goals for themselves, explore their interests, and deepen their relationships.
As our youth transitions back into the school year, keep this information in mind and follow along with MHAfred for more tips and helpful information about mental health.