Youth and The Dangers of Social Media
Social Media is a concern for our teens, parents and schools.
The following information is taken from two publications:
Social Media and Youth Mental Health The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
"Potential Risk of Harm from Content Exposure Extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content continues to be easily and widely accessible by children and adolescents. It can be spread through direct pushes, unwanted content exchanges, and algorithmic designs. In certain tragic cases, childhood deaths have been linked to suicide- and self-harm-related content and risk-taking challenges on social media platforms. , This content may be especially risky for children and adolescents who are already experiencing mental health difficulties.
Despite social media providing a sense of community for some, a systematic review of more than two dozen studies found that some social media platforms show live depictions of self-harm acts like partial asphyxiation, leading to seizures, and cutting, leading to significant bleeding.
Further, these studies found that discussing or showing this content can normalize such behaviors, including through the formation of suicide pacts and the posting of self-harm models for others to follow. Social media may also perpetuate body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. Studies demonstrated a significant relationship between social media use, body image concerns, and eating disorders, with social comparison as a potential contributing factor. Social comparison driven by social media is associated with body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and depressive symptoms."
Social media, while offering numerous benefits like connectivity and access to information, also presents significant dangers for young teenagers, regardless of gender. For young males and females, these platforms can create environments where mental health issues, cyberbullying, unrealistic body image expectations, and privacy concerns flourish.
Mental health issues arise from constant exposure to the highlight reels of others' lives, leading teenagers to compare themselves unfavorably to what they see online. This comparison can result in feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. The pressure to maintain a certain image or popularity on these platforms can also contribute to stress and anxiety.
Teens communicate thoughts of suicidality and self-harm behaviors online, including sharing images of self-inflicted injuries. Explicit depiction of self-injury — particularly cutting — on social media is common, as shown by site content studies that found photographs or live videos of self-injurious behavior, many of which had no warnings about graphic content. Of particular concern were viewers’ comments, which typically contained positive feedback or personal disclosures about self-injury experiences and rarely offered a discussion of recovery. Such findings show the potential for romanticizing mental illness and messaging that normalizes self-harm among youth.
Cyberbullying is another significant danger, as the anonymity and distance provided by social media can encourage individuals to say hurtful and harmful things they might not say in person. Young people may experience harassment, shaming, or bullying online, which can have devastating effects on their self-esteem and mental health.
The portrayal of unrealistic body images on social media can lead to poor body image and eating disorders. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable as they are in a stage where they are more concerned about their appearance and how peers perceive them. Constant exposure to images that have often been digitally altered or represent a very narrow standard of beauty can contribute to dissatisfaction with their bodies and unhealthy behaviors to try to meet these unrealistic standards.
Privacy concerns are also significant. Young teenagers may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information online. Oversharing can lead to privacy invasions, identity theft, and, in some cases, physical harm if personal information falls into the wrong hands.
Moreover, social media can impact real-life relationships and academic performance. The time-consuming nature of these platforms can lead to excessive screen time, reducing face-to-face interactions and time spent on homework or studying. This shift can affect social skills and academic achievements.
Lastly, there's the danger of exposure to inappropriate content or predatory behavior. Social media platforms often serve as gateways for young individuals to encounter content or individuals that are not suitable or safe, posing risks to their safety and well-being.
Here are several approaches parents can take:
Establishing open lines of communication is foundational. Parents should talk with their teens about the benefits and risks of social media, encouraging them to share their experiences and concerns. Such discussions can help teens feel supported and more willing to turn to their parents when they encounter problems online.
Parents should educate themselves and their teens about the potential dangers of social media, including cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and exposure to inappropriate content. Understanding these risks can empower teens to use social media more safely.
Collaboratively setting rules about social media use can help teens manage their time online effectively. These rules might include limits on how much time is spent on social media, curfews for device use, and guidelines about what types of content are appropriate to share.
Parents can teach their teens about the importance of privacy settings and how to use them to control who sees their posts and personal information. Discussing the significance of strong passwords and the risks of sharing personal information online can also help protect teens from identity theft and other online exploitation.
While respecting their teenager's privacy, parents can also monitor social media use to ensure their teen's safety.
Encouraging teens to engage in face-to-face interactions and activities outside social media can help balance their online and offline lives. Participating in sports, clubs, and other social activities can provide valuable social interactions and reduce the time spent on social media.
From the American Psychological Association:
Ask your child if any of these statements above are true for them. If you are concerned your child is dependent on social media or using it in unhealthy ways, consider enforcing new limits around accessing this technology. Suppose you suspect your child is experiencing psychological harm or you are having difficulty managing your child’s social media use. In that case, a mental health professional may be able to help you find healthier ways to engage with the digital world.
I want to urge parents to follow the link to the American Psychological Association web page dedicated to this issue:
https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips
