Children and Social Media Overuse

The appeal of social media for young people is strong, with children aged eight to twelve spending close to five hours a day on a screen while many teens are online for up to seven and half hours daily, according to a 2019 Common Sense Media Census. 

While there are benefits, like school research and connecting with friends, spending excessive amounts of time on social media can lead to bullying, anxiety, and depression, according to Genomind, which specializes in the genetics of mental health.

Spending more than four hours a day online, the company says, can increase a child’s risk of developing mental health problems. Cyberbullying is all too common for children and teens who overuse social media, leading to low self-esteem and even suicidal ideation.

In a Digital Wellbeing 2020 study, over half of teenagers surveyed reported that they were negatively affected by their relationship with technology, including impacts on diet, sleep, exercise, and school performance. In a 2019 study, the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (The CJP) reported a correlation between screen time and anxiety, while JAMA Psychiatry found that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at heightened risk for mental health problems, especially internalizing problems.

The CJP study reported that parents and clinicians are requesting guidance on how to manage the impact of digital devices on child and adolescent mental health. Experts advise limiting social media use by various means including installing a social media monitoring app, scheduling device-free family time, removing devices from the child’s bedroom at night, and trying to engage children in non-digital activities such as sports or volunteer work.

While social media can help children feel connected, has creative applications, and can assist with schoolwork, parents are advised to monitor their child’s use and be on the lookout for signs of overuse such as spending too little time on in-person activities and losing interest in things they previously enjoyed. Fatigue and regular bouts of anger can also be warning signs.