Lecture Notes: How Social Media Affects Your Teen's Mental Health

Introduction

• Rising mental health issues among teens for over a decade.
• Concerns about the impact of social media.
• Dr. Vivek Murthy's advisory on social media's harm to youth mental health.
• American Psychological Association's health advisory.
• Call for a Surgeon General's warning label on social media platforms.
• Social media has both positive and negative effects, similarly to television.

Background, Benefits, and Harms

Concerns about Social Media Use

• Time spent, content exposure, and disruption of essential health activities are concerns.
• Impacts vary based on individual and socio-economic factors.
• Brain development period of high sensitivity in ages 10-19.

Potential Benefits

• Positive connections with shared interests or identities.
• Self-expression opportunities.
• Pew Research shows teens feel more accepted and connected due to social media.

Potential Harms

• Over three hours of use linked to negative mental health outcomes, e.g., depression, anxiety.
• Higher concern in adolescent girls and those with existing mental health issues.
• Algorithms promoting harmful content.

Content Concerns

• Access to extreme content linked to self-harm and eating disorders.
• Predatory behaviors targeting adolescents.

Excessive Use Issues

• Disruption of healthy behaviors.
• Brain overstimulation comparable to addiction.
• Linked to sleep problems and feelings of exclusion.

Guide for Parents

Social Media Usage Among Teens

• Nearly universal use (95% of teens).
• Popular platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram.

Recommendations for Parents

1. Determine Access Age

   • No universal age recommendation.
   • Create a social media plan early.
   • Consider starting with non-smartphones.
   • Use tools like AAP's media plan.

2. Keep Devices Out of Bedrooms

   • Link between social media use and poor sleep quality.
   • Establish phone-off times.

3. Open Communication & Allow Mistakes

   • Avoid monitoring content; maintain privacy.
   • Encourage open discussions.

4. Mindful Conversations

   • Address concerns tactfully.
   • Propose collaborative solutions.

5. Set an Example

   • Follow the same rules as your children.
   • Acknowledge personal challenges with device use.

Reporting Cyberbullying

• Report online abuse to schools, police, or specific websites like Take It Down and CyberTipline.