Parenting and Social Media

by
Dr. Susan Rousey

It seems well known by now that social media isn’t entirely good for our kids, but it can be tricky to determine when it helps and when it harms. Since around 2010, social media has been growing in scope and usage, and now it seems that almost everyone uses some sort of social media. An article from the Kids Health website (https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.html) describes that there are some positives to social media use:

• A way to stay connected with friends and family

• Enhance creativity by sharing ideas

• Meet others with similar interests

• Learn about current events

• Feel supported when sad or anxious

And then, of course, there are some negatives:

• Cyberbullying

• Threats to safety and privacy

• Risks to reputation

• Time Drain

• Inappropriate content

• Mental Health

Studies have shown that social media use increases anxiety and depression in kids. It is reported that American teens spend around five hours per day on social media platforms, and this number increases for single-parent families and among Black, Hispanic, and Native American families. Additionally, self-harm rates for children between the ages of 10-14 has increased by five times for both boys and girls since 2002.

The question then becomes, What are we going to do about this? Do I take away all social media from my kids? If attempted, this can become a tremendous battle between parents and children. The good news is that there are some compromises that can be made to help reduce the potentially negative impact of social media.

Because you, as a parent, are responsible for your child’s safety, it is up to you to think intentionally about what you will allow and where you will draw a boundary. Here are some ideas to consider:

• What is my child missing out on due to time spent on social media?

• Is my child getting a good balance of physical activity, social interaction, and downtime?

• How aware am I regarding who my child is “friends” with and what they are seeing on each app?

• Does my child’s participation on social media reflect our family’s values?

• What does my child observe in terms of my use of my phone and social media?

• Do we, as a family, have designated “phone free” time or “no phone zones”?

Keeping open lines of communication with your child is a high priority, and paying attention to them and what they are doing (and with whom) will help keep them accountable for their actions and choices. It is increasingly challenging to be a parent and it is increasingly challenging to be a kid as well. The secret ingredient is love!

If you feel you or your child may be in need of help to navigate any of these types of situations, please feel free to contact our office and set up an appointment. I’d love to meet with you and help you find calm again.