In today’s digital age, social media like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok has become an integral part of our daily lives, and even more so for teenagers. Teenagers’ brains are particularly vulnerable to social media because their emotional and cognitive development is still maturing, making them more susceptible to the influence of online validation and peer pressure (Office of the Surgeon General, 2023). While it offers a myriad of benefits, it also presents several potential dangers. For parents, navigating the complexities of their teen’s healthy social media use can be challenging. This blog post aims to help parents support their teens in using social media healthily and responsibly.
Understanding the Potential Dangers of a Lack of Healthy Social Media Use
Before setting boundaries and supporting your teen, it’s crucial to understand the potential dangers of social media use:
Cyberbullying
Social media platforms can become a breeding ground for cyberbullying. Negative comments, harassment, and online shaming can significantly impact a teenager’s self-esteem and mental health (Giumetti & Kowalski, 2022).
Unrealistic Beauty Standards
Teens are often exposed to unrealistic beauty standards and lifestyle comparisons on social media. This constant exposure can lead to body image issues and lower self-esteem.
Increased Screen Time
Spending excessive amounts of time on social media can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, affecting physical health. It can also interfere with sleep patterns and reduce face-to-face interactions.
Privacy Concerns
Teens may unintentionally share personal information with strangers, which can lead to privacy breaches and expose them to potential predators. For a more in-depth view on the underwhelming protections for teens in social media, check out our blog posts on this.
Addiction
Social media can be addictive, leading to decreased academic performance and less engagement in real-world social activities. Addictive behaviors surrounding social media can be a major concern with teens with ADHD and autism because of dopamine-poor brains.
Distracted Interactions
Relying on online interactions can distract from meaningful face-to-face relationships, affecting social development and emotional well-being. Our teens need to learn how to have face-to-face conversations because of our socioemotional needs, but social media can create an insubstantial replacement for teens to lean on.
Recognizing the Benefits of Healthy Social Media Use
Despite the potential dangers, social media also offers several benefits that can positively impact your teen’s life:
Communication
Social media facilitates communication and helps maintain connections with friends and family, particularly those who live far away. Our teenagers have the opportunity to gain diverse perspectives from individuals around the globe whom they may not typically encounter. Additionally, social media can offer a different mode of communication for teens who struggle with verbal or emotional expression, such as with some autistic teens or severely socially anxious teens.
Self-Expression and Creativity
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube allow teens to express themselves creatively by sharing art, music, and personal stories.
Educational Resources
Social media provides access to a vast array of educational resources and communities that support learning and personal development. I meet frequently with teenagers who pursue their own knowledge on YouTube and deep dive into some historical or scientific topic and become pseudo-experts in the field! It’s very impressive and empowering healthy social media use for these teens.
Community and Belonging
For teens, especially those who are LGBTQIA+ or neurodivergent, social media can foster a sense of community and belonging by connecting with like-minded individuals (Alix, 2020). Especially in rural areas, these teens can find more people like them and connect over shared values and identities.
Advocacy and Social Change
Teens can use social media to raise awareness about important issues and mobilize for social change, giving them a platform to advocate for causes they care about (Thackeray & Hunter, 2010).
Recommendations for Healthy Social Media Use
Given the potential dangers and benefits, I have some tips for parents and teen supports to support your teens in using social media healthily and responsibly:
1. Set Clear Rules and Boundaries
Establish consistent rules for social media use, including designated times when devices should be put away. Be clear about the level of monitoring you will do and make sure that you are enforcing the boundaries.
2. Encourage Open Conversations
Promote open and honest discussions about the risks and benefits of social media. This will raise awareness and encourage responsible behavior. Start routine conversations about how things are going and check in on their healthy social media use just like you would check in on their school progress.
3. Monitor Activity
Keep an eye on your teen’s social media activity without invading their privacy. Use parental control apps if necessary to ensure their safety.
4. Model Healthy Behavior
Limit your own screen time and prioritize face-to-face interactions to set a good example for your teen. Remember that your teens are watching your behavior to gauge what is appropriate for themselves.
5. Support Interests and Creativity
Help your teen find positive communities and content online that align with their interests and encourage their creativity.
6. Teach Online Safety
Educate your teen about online safety and the importance of protecting their personal information. Teach them about online privacy settings and how to handle cyberbullying or other negative interactions.
7. Promote a Balanced Lifestyle
Encourage a balanced lifestyle by promoting physical activities, hobbies, and real-world social interactions. Create guidelines for non-screen behaviors to aim for, such as an hour of physical activity a day or 2 hours of face-to-face social time each weekend.
8. Be Supportive
If your teen experiences cyberbullying or other negative online experiences, be understanding and supportive, and help them navigate these situations effectively.
9. If Possible, Wait Until Age 16
Consider waiting until at least age 16 for full social media access, as recommended by experts like Jonathan Haidt. Introduce social media gradually and with clear guidelines. This can seem daunting when your teen is under so much pressure to conform to peers, but see if you can find a group of parents that are willing to enforce the same boundary. This way your teen will have a community of support.
Conclusion
Supporting your teen in navigating healthy social media can be a daunting task, but it’s essential for their well-being. By understanding the potential dangers and benefits, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, you can help your teen use social media responsibly. Remember, you are not alone—many parents are on this journey with you, and resources are available to guide you along the way. Together, we can ensure that our teens grow up in a safe and supportive online environment. Stay turned for our Screen Time Savvy course by ConnectEdU coming out soon for a more in-depth journey on supporting your child or teen’s digital wellbeing.
Citations
Alix, F. A. (2020). LGBTQ youth and technology: finding their way through online communities. Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society, 14(2).
Giumetti, G. W., & Kowalski, R. M. (2022). Cyberbullying via social media and well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101314.
Office of the Surgeon General. (2023). Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The US Surgeon General’s Advisory [Internet].
Thackeray, R., & Hunter, M. (2010). Empowering youth: Use of technology in advocacy to affect social change. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 15(4), 575-591.
