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About 97% of teens in the United States say they’re on the internet each day, with close to half reporting that they’re connected almost constantly. Often, this time is spent on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, SnapChat, YouTube, and others.
While social media can have positive benefits like connecting with others and getting needed support, it can also come with significant downsides for developing adolescents, including aspects that affect their mental health. Fortunately, there are steps parents and caregivers can take to help teens navigate this online social world.
As the largest private pediatric practice in Northeastern Florida, Angel Kids Pediatrics has a highly skilled team of doctors and staff members who provide state-of-the-art medical and behavioral health care for children and teens at our 10 offices located throughout Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Saint Johns, Florida.
Whether your child is struggling with an illness, health condition, or mental health challenge — or you're seeking preventive care with wellness visits and immunizations — we can help.
This May, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss how social media can affect adolescent mental health — and offer ways to safeguard your child’s well-being.
Pros and cons of social media use for teens
Social media consists of a variety of internet sites and apps that people use to share content they’ve created and interact with others through chats and comments. These sites can aid in the creation of social bonds and friendships, and allow teens to develop online identities.
However, social media can also come with a variety of downsides. It can be a distraction and take time away from important activities like homework, sleep, exercise, and time spent with family. This can result in teens feeling tired and stressed.
Rumor-spreading and cyberbullying can increase the risk of anxiety and depression, as can teens comparing their own appearance and lives to what others look like and are doing socially.
Some content — such as risk-taking behaviors, false information, and encouragement of restrictive eating or other habits related to eating disorders — can also affect teens mentally and physically.
Other dangers include revealing too much personal information or being contacted and groomed by online predators.
How to protect your adolescent’s mental health
But it’s not all bad news: Parents and other caretakers can help teens use social media responsibly, and potentially decrease the risk of negative effects. We recommend that you:
Communicate
Talk to your teen about the dangers of social media and offer advice on how to navigate it. Be sure to ask them their thoughts and how it makes them feel.
Engage privacy settings
Look for privacy settings on all platforms and turn them on to help prevent your teen from inadvertently sharing personal information.
Set limits
Limit the amount of time your teen can spend on social media. This could be measured by total time, not allowing use before homework, or designating only certain hours for usage. Adults should set a good example by using social media in moderation themselves.
Limits should also include behavior. Discuss the harm that can come from spreading gossip or bullying. Make your adolescent fully aware of the consequences for not adhering to these social media usage/limitation rules.
Monitor
Connect with your adolescent on social media platforms, especially in the early teen years, to see what they’re doing online.
It’s also helpful to institute a policy of “not behind closed doors” when your teen is connecting online — if they’re not hiding in their bedroom while they’re on social media platforms, you have a better opportunity to monitor who they’re talking to and what they’re doing.
Foster in-person social interaction
While social media can be an easy way for people to stay in touch, it’s no replacement for actual face-to-face interaction to help build social skills and deepen interpersonal connections. Give your teen ample opportunity to spend screen-free time with friends and family.
Comprehensive adolescent mental health care
There are many steps parents and caregivers can take to help their teens navigate the social media world. However, some teens still struggle and can experience anxiety, depression or other mental health issues that call for professional help.
If your child is suffering, call or click online to schedule an appointment at your nearest Angel Kids Pediatrics office in Jacksonville, Amelia Island, or Saint Johns, Florida, today.