Newswise — Adolescent and young adult medicine experts share tips for minimizing digital stress, regulating social media use, and keeping teens’ confidence high.
Social media plays a significant role in everyday life for most teenagers. It helps them to stay connected to friends, offers platforms for self-expression and sharing their creative side, and allows them to find communities that foster a sense of belonging.
But how much is too much, and is it more harmful than beneficial?
Is social media safe for my kids?
“There is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young people’s mental health,” according to the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy.
Teens who participated in surveys pointed to Instagram as increasing their anxiety and depression, and those who struggle with mental health said the platform made it worse. Leaked documents from Facebook’s former product manager also highlighted how social media can exacerbate bullying, body image issues, and other social pressures.
“The reality is that social media is part of the world we live in, and it’s not going away,” says Mari Radzik, PhD, a clinical psychologist in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“We can’t just take away our kids’ phones or computers. It’s about figuring out how we can guide them on using and navigating these tools.”
Tips to help teens regulate social media and screen time
1. Recognize any changes in behavior and offer to talk.
According to a recent American Psychological Association health advisory, social media should be limited if it’s interfering with teens’ sleep and physical activity.
Other behavior to look out for can include:
- Mood fluctuations
- Eating differently
- Social isolation
Dr. Radzik says parents can open a dialogue about their child’s social media use. She stresses the importance of using “I” rather than “you” statements.
Instead of, “You’re on Instagram way too much, and that’s bad for you,” try, “I noticed this, and I’m really worried. Can we talk about it?” If they’re not willing to talk at that moment, let them know you’ll be there when they feel ready, and be mindful of their comfort levels while discussing mental health.
2. Keep the communication open and offer support.
It’s normal for teens to deny or deflect when confronted about a problem. The key is to express your concerns, ask if they want to talk, offer to help, and then leave it at that.
“The approach has to come from a place of care and concern, rather than something punitive or accusatory,” says Dr. Razdik. Avoid berating or snooping through your child’s social media accounts, which is invasive.
If it’s clear that social media is affecting a child’s mental well-being, parents could recommend taking a break to see how their child feels without it or suggest deleting the account altogether. “There are some kids who can break the cycle, and sometimes it takes the parent to help with that,” says Dr. Radzik.
3. Establish screen time rules and online boundaries early on.
Just like you wouldn’t give a car to your child without teaching them the rules of the road, Dr. Radzik advises parents to provide parameters before a teen begins to use social media. Think about how often and where they should be using their phones, screens, or computers: Is the dining table off limits? What about in their rooms with the door closed?What time should electronics be off and not used and for how long?
When your child is ready to have their own social media accounts, parents should have a conversation with them to create a family social media plan, review rules and screen time limits, and understand privacy settings. If you’re not familiar with the sites or apps they’re using, take the time to get educated on what your kids are doing and seeing.
4. Model healthy digital habits.
Behavior modeling starts young, even before children have their own phone.
Establishing media-free areas, checking content accuracy, and prioritizing face-to-face interactions are all healthy ways of boundary setting that will set your teens up for success.
“As parents, we need to encourage a curiosity of the world around them and use creativity tools rather than rely on social media all the time,” Dr. Razdik emphasizes.
5. Check in regularly.
Talking to children and teens about social media isn’t a one-time conversation. The key is checking in frequently and being attentive and aware of your kids’ media use and how they feel when they use it.
Parents may want to ask their children how they use social media:
- To share updates with their friends
- To follow certain celebrities or influencers
- To seek advice or help
“Active, attentive parenting is crucial,” says Dr. Radzik. “I know it can be exhausting, but it’s our job as parents to be mindful of what our kids are doing and how we can help them feel confident, self-aware, and resilient.”
