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By Matthew Rocklage
Like it or not, social media has become a big part of life, especially for children and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that 92% of teens are active on at least one social media platform.
The benefits of social media, when used responsibly, can include creating a sense of connection with peers, communities and long-distance family. Social media can also expose users to diversity and different perspectives.
Through online social networks, adolescents can discover and engage in supportive communities with others who are like them, which can sometimes be difficult “IRL” (in real life). Responsible use of social media also helps teenagers develop digital literacy, including online communication, which has become ubiquitous in society.
However, it’s ironic that social media, touted as a way to connect people, can also result in people feeling isolated, lonely, anxious and depressed.
In some ways, the effects of social media can be like nicotine, alcohol and drugs, triggering impulse control problems and psychological cravings. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 Advisory “Social Media and Youth Mental Health” shares that children between the ages of 12 and 15 using social media for three hours daily had double the risk of anxiety and depression. As a result, the Surgeon General suggested that labels be put on platforms warning of the potentially negative effects on young people.
Experts believe that unrealistic comparisons, the need for validation and the inability to interact with people in real-time, due to the lack of face-to-face connection on social media, are particularly dangerous as young adults develop. Other studies have linked internet addiction among adolescents to changes in their brain, specifically in areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control, impacting cognitive function, behavior and mental health.
The Surgeon General is not the only one concerned. Last August, a study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics found that children using tablets by age three have more expressions of anger and frustration, indicating difficulties with emotional regulation. Additionally, in 2023, Florida was the first state to require public schools to prohibit students from using cell phones during class time. The law also requires schools to teach students about the effects of social media.
This year, public school districts in Lee, Collier, Duval and Hillsborough counties tightened cell phone rules, requiring phones to remain out of sight and inside bags during class.
Other districts in the state, including Pasco, Pinellas, Broward and Clay counties, have taken that ban a step further, applying it to all wireless devices, including cell phones, smartwatches and tablets.
Last March, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to restrict access to social media platforms popular with children under 16. The state law also prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 14 to have an account and requires that 14 and 15 years olds have parental permission.
The best way to minimize social media’s negative impacts is to limit use. Set “screentime” boundaries for time that children spend online and make efforts to encourage in-person contact and activities. As part of its “Tips & Tools,” the American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines on how to establish a family social media plan on its website, HealthyChildren.org.
Regulating social media use and screentime has proven to have positive effects for overall well-being. A small, randomized controlled trial among college students showed that limiting social media to 30 minutes every day for three weeks led to significant improvements in depression severity.
When the ban on cell phones in schools was implemented in Florida in 2023, there was a notable increase in participation in class and student interaction during lunch, with recreation focused on more group activities and engagement.
Signs of potential mental health harm from social media use include withdrawal from family and friends, lack of interest in the future or hobbies and major changes in behavior, sleep or appetite.
Strategies to overcome negative impacts from harm include:
Practicing mindfulness
Regular exercise
A healthy sleep schedule
Building a strong social support network outside of social media
Setting realistic goals
Seeking professional help to prioritize and focus on interpersonal interaction and bonds
When our online presence begins to overshadow our in-person interactions, it is crucial to recognize and address the real-life implications of social media and take steps to mitigate its impact.
About the Author
Matthew Rocklage is a doctorate psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with Elite DNA Behavioral Health’s Jupiter Therapy and Psychiatry Clinic. Elite DNA seeks to provide accessible, affordable mental health care to everyone and has become one of the largest mental health providers in the state, providing in-person and virtual behavioral health services to children, adolescents and adults at more than 30 locations across Florida. For more information, visit EliteDNA.com.
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