The Rev. Michael Heath, of Fayetteville, is a licensed mental health counselor and a United Church of Christ minister.
Recently, you may have heard that the Surgeon General of the United States urged Congress to place a “black box” warning label on social media. We’ve all seen them before on various prescription bottles as well as on all tobacco products.
In this case, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told Congress that the labels are needed because compelling evidence shows that children who watch more than five hours of social media a day are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to those who do not.
In addition, studies reveal that kids who are heavily involved in social media like Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok develop poor body image and self-esteem. The constant exposure to the perfect bodies and amazing accomplishments posted by their peers lead kids to experience a false sense of inferiority and inadequacy.
Many folks have been concerned about the long-term effects of smartphones and social media on child development for years. The conclusions of repeated studies regarding the impact of social media on a child’s mental health are clear.
Admittedly, smartphones and social media have become integral parts of modern life. Thinking that children can be protected from any exposure is unrealistic. That said, there are basic steps that parents can do to reduce exposure and thus minimize this risk for their children. Here are some tips to consider for your family:
1. Talk to your kids about social media.
The first-line of defense against social media is nonjudgmental communication with your children. Be empathic. Listen to their concerns and try to understand their concerns. Talking without condemning can build trust and help your messages increase their awareness about the risks of social media.
2. Restrict owning a smartphone to high school age.
This will not be easy but it’s doable. The best way to protect your child’s emotional development and overall mental health is to restrict access to social media. Smartphones are the biggest source of exposure to social media. Studies show that older teens are less impacted by social platforms than younger kids.
Flip phones are a better option than smartphones for kids. They can allow emergency communication without the perils of the internet.
3. Limit the places smartphones may be used.
Parents must understand that they control the access and use of smartphones in the home and elsewhere. Although there are exceptions, as a rule, smartphones should not be allowed in school and other places like the at dinner table or at bedtime.
4. Establish time limits for social media.
Research shows that 5 hours a day of social media exposure is too much. Each family needs to decide what is right for their individual situation.
Technological innovation always upsets social order and is anxiety-producing. The introduction of smartphones and social media is no exception. Realistically, since computer phones and the internet are barely a generation old, the full impact of their presence is not fully understood. We still have a lot to learn.
One last thought: While placing limits on social media is crucial for the healthy emotional development of children, it is also important for adults, especially in marriage. More on this topic another time.