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Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health

Feb 7, 2025

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.