Every child can feel its pull. Every parent is concerned. Social media landed in everyone’s backyard like the spaceship in "Close Encounters". We didn’t know what it was or where it came from, but we couldn’t take our eyes away. We fell under its spell and remain captivated. We still don’t know why it came or what it’s here for. But we have learned that it is not as benign as it first appeared. We now know it can harm us, and it will if we let it.

Surgeon General's Report

"The current body of evidence indicates that while social media may have benefits for some children and adolescents, there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents."

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, social media usage has increased to an all-time high for younger viewers, and it is now at the top of the list for children’s mental health. Caregivers are expressing concerns about their school-aged children’s social media use. Studies confirm that children are using social media more than they are interacting in creative play.

• More than (35%) of 13–17-year-olds reported using social media platforms daily such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.
• Even though these platforms set a minimum of 13 as an age limit, it is reported that 40% of kids ages 8-12 say they have used social media.

At First Glance – Benign

• Social media platforms create a space for individuals to have a positive community or connection with others who share the same identities, abilities, and interests.
• Plus, it creates an outlet for self-expression. For youth, the benefits of social media help maintain friendships online and develop social connections.

But Then - Harm

• Cyberbullying: Kids are at risk of being teased or harassed online.
• Time Drain: Kids spend so much time on social media and run out of time to do homework, exercise, sleep, talk to family, etc.
• Inappropriate or Harmful Content: Young children can view content or ads that could be inappropriate for their age. Especially kids who can lie about their age to access a platform.

The Surgeon General's Report...

"The influence of social media on youth mental health is shaped by many complex factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of time children and adolescents spend on platforms, the type of content they consume or are otherwise exposed to, the activities and interactions social media affords, and the degree to which it disrupts activities that are essential for health like sleep and physical activity..."

...Frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain in the amygdala (important for emotional learning and behavior) and the prefrontal cortex (important for impulse control, emotional regulation, and moderating social behavior), and could increase sensitivity to social rewards and punishments. As such, adolescents may experience heightened emotional sensitivity to the communicative and interactive nature of social media. Adolescent social media use is predictive of a subsequent decrease in life satisfaction for certain developmental stages including girls 11–13 years old and boys 14–15 years old. Because adolescence is a vulnerable period of brain development, social media exposure during this period warrants additional scrutiny."

Social Workers Can Help

• If you notice that your child is using social media for a long period of time and have concerns about their emotional development, social workers can help.
• Common changes in a child's behavior due to social media use would be an increase in anxiety, depression, sleep issues, lack of self-esteem, etc.
• If your child’s emotional development is of concern due to social media, social workers have already developed programs for working with your child to uncover what they have experienced and how to help them.
• Social workers use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to help your child understand negative thoughts and what is in and out of their control.
• Your child can learn strategies when experiencing intense emotions and how to use those skills to help reframe positive thinking.

Seek Help

Do not be reluctant to seek help. Not knowing what to do when your child is in danger is a debilitating, helpless feeling. Reach out to the social worker in your school or community for insight and guidance. The spaceship has landed, and it is not going away.

For a downloadable copy of the report click the link below:  

Surgeon General's Report