Welcome to the The Cap ā our very own recap series of the topics and trends impacting teens and tweens today dedicated to keeping the common parent in the know. š® In today's Issue, we cover: |
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On May 23, 2023, the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a major advisory about the growing concern and evidence that social media can have "a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents." šWe have covered the risks of social media throughout several past Issues of The Cap ( read them HERE) and last week's advisory from the Surgeon General further signifies the very real risks that social media poses to youth mental health. In his 19-page report, Dr. Murthy cites nearly 100 studies and surveys in concluding that: "Our children have become unknowing participants in a decades-long experiment. Our children and adolescents donāt have the luxury of waiting years until we know the full extent of social mediaās impact. Their childhoods and development are happening now." ā¹ļø A Surgeon Generalās Advisory is a public statement that calls the attention of Americans to urgent public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be addressed. Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that require the nationās immediate awareness and action. Read the full Surgeon General report here. |
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More than 95% of teens ages 13-17 and 40% of children ages 8-12 report using social media with more than ā
saying they use it "almost constantly." Meanwhile, 8th and 10th graders spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on various social media platforms. In his advisory, the Surgeon General outlines two types of dangers associated with social networks: 1. Content-Related Problems - Body image issues & Disordered eating - Social media drives social comparison leading to increased body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and low self-esteem. Almost Ā½ of girls surveyed said social media makes them feel worse about their body image.
- Cyberbullying & Harassment - Predators target children and adolescents for sexual exploitation, financial extortion through the threat of or actual distribution of intimate images (sextortion), or to sell illicitly-manufactured fentanyl. Teen girls and trans youth are disproportionately affected by cyberbullying and online harassment.
- Death & injury - Suicide and self-harm-related content and risk-taking challenges (like live depictions of partial asphyxiation and cutting) are widely available. This content is not only dangerous, but it also normalizes these behaviors.
2. Use-Related Problems - Screen addiction - Push notifications, infinite scroll, autoplay, displaying popularity (ālikesā), and algorithms work together to maximize user engagement. Excessive social media usage can overstimulate the reward center of the brain and cause changes in brain structure similar to people with substance use or gambling addictions.
- Sleep disruption - Sleep is crucial to the healthy development of teens. Social media use is linked to poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, and sleep difficulties. Poor sleep can alter neurological development in adolescent brains, cause depression and lead to suicidal thoughts & behaviors.
- Depression & Anxiety - Adolescents who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media are more than twice as likely to suffer poor mental health including depression and anxiety. In addition, social media can perpetuate the fear of missing out (FOMO) which can lead to depression, anxiety and neuroticism.
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An overwhelming amount of evidence points to social media as the cause of the deterioration in kidsā mental health because it has largely coincided with the rise of social media platforms over the last decade. While the burden of regulating social media shouldn't fall solely to parents and caregivers, the reality is that we are the frontline and play a crucial role in guiding our children through the digital landscape. Here are 2 important steps we can take: - Limit Time - The Surgeon General cited a study that found limiting social media use to 30 minutes a day over a three-week period led to "significant improvements in depression severity."
- Give the Phone at a Later Age - A new study has also shown that the later children get their first smartphone, the better it is for their overall mental health.
Other steps parents can take: - Open the dialogue - Talk with your children about the benefits and risks of social media use. Ask them about their experiences online, who they're connecting with, and how they're spending their time. Encourage and empower them to seek help if they need it.
- Set boundaries - Establish clear rules about screen time for social media use, content boundaries, and not disclosing personal information online. Turn off push notifications for social media sites.
- Monitor online activity - Be actively involved in your children's lives online by monitoring their social media accounts and interactions. Familiarize yourself with privacy settings and parental controls.
- Create tech-free zones - Consider restricting your child's screen time for one hour before bedtime to foster healthy sleep patterns. Keep their devices overnight so there's no temptation to scroll at 3 a.m. Think about having a screen fast for a day or two each month. Make the dinner table a tech-free zone.
- Model responsible social media behavior - Limit your own social media screen time, be mindful of how you post about yourself and your children and keep your social media accounts positive and respectful.
- Seek support - Contact local law enforcement to report instances of cyberbullying, online abuse, and exploitation. If your child is showing signs of depression or worrisome behavior, reach out to your child's pediatrician or mental health professionals. Create a network with other parents to establish shared norms and practices around social media use.
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Support Legislation: While researchers search for answers, some lawmakers are already passing restrictions on teensā use of social media. In March, Utah became the first state to establish a curfew for teens on social media apps. The state will also mandate that parents have access to their childrenās accounts. Other states are considering similar measures. Be Aware Parents: A parent who is aware of social media and its risks can better monitor the degree to which social media use disrupts your teen's activities essential for health like sleep and physical activity as well as in-person social interaction. Limit Smart Phone Time and Access: There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but the amount of time spent on social media and the age one gets their first phone seems to play the most significant roles. Just as with all things in life, social media use doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Small changes can have big impactsā¦especially at such a crucial time during their development. |
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More coverage of the āU.S. Surgeon General Advisoryā & Smartphone Impacts on Mental Wellbeing: |
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Founders of The Common Parent: Catherine Belknap and Natalie Telfer (Cat & Nat) |
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The Cap Contributors: Catherine Belknap, Natalie Telfer, Kelly Kresen, Josee Telfer, Cath Tassie, Lauren Bechard, Sam Phelan and Allie Coughlin |
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Parenting isn't easy. We're in this together. |
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THE CAP FROM THE COMMON PARENT Ā© 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The contents of The Cap and The Common Parent platforms, portals and emails (the "Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, therapy, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your situation. |
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