Hey parents – remember what life was like before smartphones? As teenagers, we had to go to great lengths to connect with friends or research a paper. We didn’t always have a camera on us to snap the perfect picture and when we did, we’d have to wait a while before we could show it to anyone.
Now, teens have the world at their fingertips. Sometimes that’s amazing, and sometimes…not so much. Being a teenager is hard enough, but the additional pressures of social media and cell phone addiction is taking a toll on our kids’ health.
What Constant Digital Access Means for Teens and Young Adults
Over 96% of Americans have smartphones and over 70% actively use social media. We’re more digitally connected than ever, and many people consider this to be a good thing. After all, new technology has made it easier than ever for us to stay in touch with loved ones, make friends across borders and express ourselves. But the same features that make our lives easier can harm us – and this is especially true for teens and young adults, who are still learning self-regulation. Nearly 50% of teens ages 13-17 say they use the internet “almost constantly.” What are the impacts of this?
“Smartphone Addiction” Has Serious Consequences on Both Mental and Physical Health
Recent research has found that smartphone usage can:
- Negatively impact cognitive ability
- Lower reading comprehension skills
- Negatively affect the development of social-emotional skills
- Lead to disrupted sleep
- Make users mentally lazy – people no longer have to memorize phone numbers, appointments or dates
Related: Mental Health Support in Virginia Classrooms
Excessive Social Media Use Can Lead to Anxiety, Depression and Loneliness
The rates of mental health conditions in teens and young adults have been rising and experts think that social media use may be a big part of the problem. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory called Social Media and Youth Mental Health, in which he says there is growing evidence that social media is harming the mental health of young people.
A 2022 poll by the Pew Research Center found that when it comes to teens and social media:
- 38% of teens say they feel overwhelmed by all the drama they see on social media
- 31% say that social media makes them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things
- 23% say these platforms make them feel worse about their own life.
Related: Mental Health Days: What Are My Children’s Rights in Virginia Public Schools?
The Positives of Digital Connection
Despite the drawbacks, most teens think of digital connection as an overall positive experience. The Pew Research Center poll also found that:
Social Connection
- 8 out of 10 teens say that what they see on social media makes them feel more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives
- 67% say these platforms make them feel as if they have people who can support them through tough times
Related: 8 Anonymous and/or Free Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth
The Fostering of Creativity
- 71% say it makes them feel like they have a place where they can show their creative side
Easy Access to Information
- Smartphones and other devices give teens and young adults a way to quickly find information for research papers and other school projects
- The digital world exposes young people to other cultures and people who have different lived experiences than their own
How To Guide Your Child in Their Internet Use
Teenagers are at a time in their lives when they’re trying to figure out who they are, separate from their parents, and how they can gain some independence. That means that it might be harder than it once was to influence them, but it’s not impossible.
Shortly after the Surgeon General’s advisory was released, the American Psychological Association (APA) issued its own health advisory. To monitor and protect your teen or young adult’s mental health in regards to digital connection, the APA recommends:
- Encourage youth to use social media for social support, online companionship, and emotional intimacy that can promote healthy socialization
- Social media use, functionality, and permissions/consenting should be tailored to youths’ developmental capabilities
- In early adolescence (i.e., typically 10–14 years), adult monitoring is advised for social media use
- Talk to your teens about social media depictions of maladaptive behavior, like self-harm or disordered eating
- Talk to your teens about “cyberhate,” including online discrimination, prejudice, hate, or cyberbullying, especially directed toward a marginalized group
Find Help and Support at Western Tidewater CSB
Being a parent, especially in this highly digital age, can be scary and overwhelming and can leave you feeling hopeless or like you can’t help your child. We understand this and we can help – you don’t have to do this alone.
WTCSB offers counseling for children and teens, Functional Family Therapy and more. Not sure what your family needs? We’ll help you figure it out.
Make an appointment online for same-day access or by calling us at 757-758-5106 to get started.