As our world becomes more and more centered around technology, we must learn how to quickly adapt to the different features it entails. Social media is a huge platform and interactive network that technology has brought forth to us. Yet, research has discovered a positive correlation in teenagers between social media use and the issues of mental health such as anxiety, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders.
TikTok and Instagram are the top applications that increase these mental and body image problems. They produce a constant display of images and videos that lead to teenagers comparing themselves to other people’s bodies and lives. It is still unknown if social media itself leads to symptoms of mental health, or if mental health problems lead to using social media more frequently.
On the plus side, research has found social media has created an increased opportunity to view educational content, interact with similar people your age, and learn about important topics such as mental health.
Here are a few tips Dr. Cara Goodwin suggests on how to educate your children about social media:
- Set time restraints on social media applications. This might decrease the frequency of which children see negative content online.
- Ask your child who they follow and why. Ask how viewing these posts makes them feel.
- Help your child develop “social media literacy”. Research has shown teaching your children the “filters” social media displays can help them learn the unrealistic image and videos social media can produce.
- Have your child put necessary social media privacy measures in place. This includes only allowing people they know personally to follow them, set their account to private, and keeping personal identifiable information off their page.
- As a parent, abide by the technology and social media rules you put in place for your children. When they see you doing these actions, they will feel more motivated to do them also.
Overall, it is how your child is using social media that needs to be considered. Research has indicated many positives of social media, but the manner in which a child uses it is where harmful effects may take place.
Laura Hinsch
Research Assistant, UConn KIDS