I grew up in the age of social media becoming “a thing”. I’m a millennial, and can remember what my MySpace profile looked like after I first made it and the exact moment in my English class in high school that my friend helped me create my Facebook. At this time, little was known in terms of research on social media, but since then researchers have studied the effects social media has on a developing mind. “A 2023 Common Sense Media study indicated that 43% of children between the ages of 8 and 12, and up to 95% of teens, have their own smartphone, with usage ranging from a few minutes to 16 hours per day. They reported that teens receive an average of 237 notifications per day (with some as high as 4500 a day), and they engage with about 25% of the notifications received” (Constant Companion: A Week in the Life of a Young Person’s Smartphone Use). Shocking, right?
The American Psychological Association examines the impact of social media use on teens in an article published May 10, 2023 entitled “Health advisory on social media use in adolescence”. Throughout this article the APA examines the benefits and harmful effects of social media on adolescence, backed by scientific evidence. The APA acknowledges that social media in and of itself does not have a negative or positive impact on adolescents; however, with what and with whom adolescents interact on social media platforms can, in fact, have a positive or negative impact. Adolescents are also not entirely developed; in fact, they are in one of the most vulnerable stages of development- emotionally, physically, and neurologically- fueled by puberty. This vulnerability can make adolescents more susceptible to interactions and influences (positive or negative) on social media. Oftentimes social media algorithms have policies and beliefs built into them. Therefore, “social media can become an incubator, providing community and training that fuel hate” (Health advisory on social media use in adolescence). This means that what your child is exposed to over and over can become an incubator for forming his/her/their beliefs. The following article provides 10 recommendations for supporting and teaching your child how to appropriately and responsibly use social media: Health Advisory on Social Media use in Adolescence.
Every family is different, but above all- know your teen. Know the apps they have, know the time they spend on their devices, and know who they interact with online. Help them to understand boundaries with technology, and that can be modeled with your personal boundaries as a parent with your smartphone and social media habits. As all teens are different in their development and maturity, it is vital as the parent or guardian to familiarize yourself with what and whom your child is interacting with on social media platforms as well as talk with your child about his/her/their experience on social media.
Did you know that the Orenda Center treats children and teenagers? We offer appointments at our Outpatient location in Downtown Frederick, virtually and in Frederick County Schools.
Sources:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Health Advisory on social media use in adolescence. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use
Common Sense Media (2023). Constant companion: A week in the Life of a young person’s smartphone use. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/constant-companion-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-young-persons-smartphone-use
