Today’s children are growing up immersed in digital media, as social media has quickly become a universal tool now widely accepted as an integral part of our everyday lives.
According to one research study, approximately half of Grade 4 students in Canada go online regularly using their portable devices, and almost one-quarter of students own smartphones; by Grade 11, 85% of students own smartphones (Tobbi Dyer, 2018). With the use of smartphones and social media platforms increasing as children age, it’s essential to understand the potential risks and side effects that digital media use from a young age can have on a child’s well-being, behaviour, and development.
While social media can be used to educate, share valuable information, enhance access to support networks, and forge meaningful connections online, there are potential negative side effects and impacts that can arise from children being constantly connected. Social media platforms have a profound effect on how children interact with others, and how they perceive themselves through social comparison and negative interactions, both of which are common among social media users.
The most prevalent risks of children using such media platforms include social isolation, identity theft, personal safety, privacy concerns, and an increase in mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and poor sleep (Tobbi Dyer, 2018).
One study revealed that the use of social media was associated with greater odds of short sleep duration in a dose-response fashion among Canadian students aged 11-20 (Sampasa-Kanyinga et al., 2018). Not only can social media use affect a child’s sleeping habits and patterns, but it can also negatively impact their overall mental health and sense of well-being.
A study on middle school and high school children in Ottawa, Canada showed that students who reported having unmet needs for mental health support were more likely to report using social networking sites for more than 2 hours every day than those who revealed no identified unmet need for mental health support (Sampasa-Kanyinga & Lewis, 2015).
The daily use of social networking sites for more than 2 hours was also associated with poor self-rating of mental health, high levels of psychological distress, and suicidal ideation (Sampasa-Kanyinga & Lewis, 2015).
As research continues to shine a light on the negative effects social media use can have on children’s mental health and development, parents must understand how to create a balanced digital media plan for their children.
Interventions
Talk to your child about social media and the possible inauthentically of it. It is important that your child knows about photo editing and picture filters to help them not compare themselves to others online.
Ask your child to teach you about their favourite social media platforms. Parents need to show interest in such activities to be able to ask informed questions.
Create boundaries regarding electronic usage, such as no phones at the dinner table or no electronics an hour before bed.
Most importantly, lead by example! Children learn behaviour that they are consistently shown. Show your children that you too are not consumed by your electronics and can be present in the real world.
References
Sampasa-Kanyinga, H., Hamilton, H. A., & Chaput, J.-P. (2018). Use of social media is associated with short sleep duration in a dose-response manner in students aged 11 to 20 years. Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway: 1992), 107(4), 694–700. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.14210
Sampasa-Kanyinga, H., & Lewis, R. F. (2015). Frequent Use of Social Networking Sites Is Associated with Poor Psychological Functioning Among Children and Adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(7), 380–385. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2015.0055
Tobbi Dyer. (2018). The Effects of Social Media on Children. Dalhousie Journal of Interdisciplinary Management, 14(0). https://doi.org/10.5931/djim.v14i0.7855
White-Gosselin, C.-É., & Poulin, F. (2022). Associations between young adults’ social media addiction, relationship quality with parents, and internalizing problems: A path analysis model. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue Canadienne Des Sciences Du Comportement. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000326
