Over the last few years, as my boys became adolescents and entered high school (right smack in the middle of the COVID pandemic), as a parent and a psychiatrist, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of smartphones and social media.
There has been a flurry of articles on this topic as well as high-profile advisories and publications from SAMHSA, US Surgeon General, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Common Sense Media, to name a few. Studies have highlighted the complex relationship between adolescent mental health and social media use. Research shows that prolonged social media engagement can significantly impact adolescents negatively, contributing to increased risks of anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. Particularly concerning is the evidence showing that adolescents spending more than three hours daily on social media platforms are at double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes; this was called out once again over the summer by the US Surgeon General in a New York Times Opinion Essay. This exposure often includes harmful content that can exacerbate issues like body image concerns and eating disorders, with a pronounced effect observed in teen girls and LGBTQ youth who may also face heightened risks of cyberbullying and online harassment.
Closer to home, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released its inaugural comprehensive report: The State of Mental Health of New Yorkers. The report provides a crucial and detailed examination of the city’s mental health landscape, with several key findings that reveal a significant portion of the city’s population continues to struggle with mental health issues. The specific findings regarding teens and social media reflect the broader concerns highlighted in the current literature about the negative mental health outcomes linked to social media use. Following are some of the key points:
Usage – A substantial proportion of teenagers use social media daily, which correlates with increased feelings of anxiety and depression. The all-encompassing nature of social media means that teens are rarely disconnected from their online worlds, which can exacerbate mental health issues.
Distress – The report notes a significant association between daily social media use and psychological distress among teens. This includes increased levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and social isolation. The constant exposure to the curated highlights of others’ lives can lead to distorted perceptions of reality and self-worth.
Sleep – There is a noted impact on sleep quality among teens who engage heavily with social media. The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt natural sleep patterns, and the mental stimulation from engaging with content can make it harder to relax and fall asleep. Poor sleep impacts mental health and wellbeing.
Cyberbullying – Bullying and harassment have been shown to have severe mental health effects on teens. The anonymity and reach of social media can exacerbate these behaviors, leading to increased risks of depression and anxiety.
Content – The type of content teens are exposed to on social media also has implications for their mental health. Exposure to harmful content, such as images or messages that promote unrealistic body standards, violence, or discriminatory attitudes, can have damaging effects.
In all these reports, research, and findings, there is a flip side to all the negatives that our children constantly bring up and that we must acknowledge…there are benefits and positives to social media that impact our kid’s social, emotional, and cognitive development in meaningful ways.
- Social media provides a platform for youth to stay connected with friends and family; it is how they socialize and create peer bonds.
- Many young people find communities of interest on social media, which can be particularly beneficial for those who feel isolated or marginalized in their immediate physical environments. This can include support groups for LGBTQ+ youth, hobbyist communities, or social justice platforms.
- Social media allows young individuals to explore different facets of their identities—expressing themselves creatively through posts, shares, and other interactions.
- Many platforms offer educational content, tutorials, and user-generated information that can supplement traditional education.
- For some, social media can be a source of psychological support where users share their personal experiences and challenges, offering and receiving advice and comfort from others with similar issues.
- Social media empowers young people to engage with and participate in social and political issues. It can provide a platform for mobilizing around causes, participating in civic engagement, and advocating for change.
- Social media provides entertainment through videos, memes, stories, and interactive content, which can be a relaxing break from daily stresses.
It is our responsibility, as parents, to find a balanced approach to minimize the harms while enhancing these benefits. I see these aspects of social media with my kids and every conversation turns on the positive aspects of social media for them while my focus is mostly on the harmful effects—we have to find a middle ground. This is not easy to do. At home, we have tried to limit exposure to, time spent on, and influence of these technologies on our boys, which is a slightly easier task at home but unchartered territory while they are at school and out-and-about. It feels like a losing battle: Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok exert a powerful hold on their lives. As the pressure mounts to find ways to manage these risks, whether at home or school or through different legislative actions locally and nationally, we all realize that we can’t continue with the status quo.
Right before school started this month, our youngest son’s school announced a ban on the use of cell phones during the school day based on overwhelming feedback from over 200 families. This decision was based on the need to safeguard our kids’ focus, happiness, and meaningful connectedness. As a family, we wholeheartedly embrace this decision—much to my son’s chagrin—and wish they had done some sooner. Despite all the grousing and apocalyptic scenarios that the kids mustered against the ban, I am happy to report that everyone has survived thus far without their cell phones during the day!
In light of the complexity of social media’s influence on adolescent development and their wellbeing, as a psychiatrist, I am compelled to advocate for proactive strategies to manage and mitigate risks while recognizing the inherent benefits of digital connectivity.
Addressing these issues will require a multi-faceted approach involving parents, educators, and policymakers. We need more robust regulatory frameworks to protect our kids from the harms of excessive and unsafe social media use, as well as education on digital literacy and fluency to help teens navigate social media in healthier ways. In 5th grade, our son came home after school one day to tell us about a health class he had where they talked about technology, social media, and its impact. He learned that anything they did on the internet/social media was permanent…not a “digital footprint,” as was the common explanation, but more so as a “digital tattoo” that would be a part of them forever. That was a sobering and very visual representation of the potential risks, which has stuck with me and which I remind them often of.
So, based on all the reading through the latest research, talking to other parents and experts, and my own parenting experience, here are five recommendations on how we allow our kids to be connected but also protected:
- Education – Educate yourself about the challenges that today’s digital landscape poses for our youth. This can help you provide more empathetic support to your child and better understand their unique point of view. While schools are increasingly incorporating mental health education (e.g., addressing the psychological effects of social media) and digital literacy into their curricula to teach students about responsible social media use, the permanence of the digital footprint, online safety, and the distinction between real and curated online personas, we as parents must get involved. For example, we should push for schools to enact bans on smartphone use while in class. This won’t make you popular at home, but the long-term benefits are invaluable.
- Structure – As a parent, you must help your child structure their social media usage, setting specific times when social media is allowed and when not allowed. Setting boundaries and parameters (no cell phones in the bedroom after lights out, for example) can help prevent excessive use and ensure it does not interfere with sleep, homework, or physical activity. Utilizing parental controls and monitoring tools can help manage and limit use as well. There are tools that can block inappropriate content, limit screen time, and help parents keep track of online activities without being overly intrusive. Lastly, consider developing a Family Media Plan that balances online and offline activities.
- Involvement – Parents have to be involved in their children’s digital life—whether through having access to their social media accounts, knowing their passwords, and/or regularly discussing online activities, as well as engaging with them in the games or apps that they use and enjoy. Sharing those experiences can help parents better understand what they are doing online. Open (and frequent) communication and active listening are essential to help our kids navigate their experiences positively…as a parent, I have learned that it’s important to find opportune moments for discussions (like in the car) rather than forced interactions and that it’s always better to be curious, not furious!
- Modeling – As a parent, model the behavior you want to see in your children. This includes setting your own boundaries around technology use, demonstrating healthy habits, and showing that you value real-world interactions over digital ones. Encourage your kid to engage in more face-to-face interactions with friends and participate in extracurricular activities. This reduces the reliance on digital platforms for social interaction and helps develop interpersonal skills.
- Guidance – It is crucial to remain vigilant and responsive to any changes that might indicate underlying issues, such as signs of distress or changes in behavior. These can include changes in mood, behavior, sleep patterns, and academic performance.
While we all know that adolescence is fraught with serious changes in almost all aspects of our kids’ lives, it is critical we remain attentive (and not chalk these up to “being a teenager”) by being aware of some possible signs of distress:
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Changes in academic performance
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Mood fluctuations
- Changes in online behavior
It’s important to seek professional help if these changes persist over several weeks or worsen, or your child expresses feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm, and if their “normal” functioning (such as social interactions, schoolwork, and family life) is significantly impaired.
As we continue to navigate the digital age, the role of social media in our lives cannot be underestimated nor easily rolled back. While it offers unique opportunities for growth and connection, it also presents undeniable challenges. As parents, we must embrace a balanced approach that safeguards our children’s wellbeing while allowing them the space to reap the social and educational benefits of these platforms. By implementing structured guidelines, promoting open dialogue, and fostering greater digital fluency, we can equip our kids with the tools they need to navigate their online world in a safer and more effective manner, with agency and forethought.
Together, we can commit to not only protecting our children from the potential pitfalls of social media but also empowering them to build a more constructive and positive online presence that supports their ultimate development and wellbeing.
Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
KOHS Report: Online Health and Safety Resources
Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force
SAMHSA Parent and Caregiver Resources
Social Media and Youth Mental Health: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
To get support for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Jorge R. Petit, MD, is a Behavioral Healthcare Leader, Author, and Founder/CEO of Quality Healthcare Solutions, LLC. Dr. Petit is also a long-time Board Member and past Chair of Mental Health News Education, the publisher of Autism Spectrum News and Behavioral Health News. For more information, visit his website: www.drjpetit.org, blog: Behavioral Health: Matters, LinkedIn: Dr. Jorge Petit, MD, or Substack: drjrpetit.substack.com.
