Why Social Media Can be Bad for Children
Social media has many benefits, even for kids.
It allows them to stay connected to friends and family, can help them understand some of the events going on in the world, and can help them combat isolation while promoting creativity and a desire to learn.
Of course, for all of the benefits, social media doesn’t come without some cons to consider.
Whether you’re debating letting your child scroll on social media for the first time or you’re wondering how much screen time they should be having, understanding some of the potential risks is important.
With that in mind, let’s cover why social media can be bad for children.
1. Safety Issues
One of the biggest risks children face on social media is a lack of safety.
There are so many potential threats that it can be overwhelming to think about.
First, children are often more susceptible to cyberbullying.
It could be from someone they know, including a peer from school, or a complete stranger online.
Whatever the case, cyberbullying can create self-esteem issues and leave your child feeling not only hurt, but lacking confidence.
There are also cybersecurity issues to consider.
If your child “befriends” someone on social media, they could fall victim to financial scams, or they could attract child predators.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where these predators are very good at what they do, and even if you think your child would be able to see red flags while talking to someone online, that’s not always the case.
2. Inappropriate Content
While most social media platforms have protections in place that limit or completely block out inappropriate content, some of it can sneak through.
Some content might not necessarily be inappropriate for adults, but it’s not something children should see.
You might be able to introduce some parental controls, depending on the social media platform your child is using.
But, for the most part, you simply never know what your child might be exposed to while they’re scrolling or interacting with others.
3. Negative Mental and Physical Effects
While more research still needs to be done, some studies have shown that social media use can negatively impact a child’s mental health.
It can create self-esteem issues that lead to anxiety or depression.
Physically, your child might start to have trouble sleeping.
Their eating habits might change, or they might want to start changing the way they look because they’re developing body image issues.
Research has also shown that too much social media use can also impact your child academically.
It’s very easy for children to become “addicted” to social media. They enjoy the interaction, the fast pace, and how quickly things change, and many even enjoy the attention.
There are many children who actually consider themselves content creators from an early age.
They post pictures and videos for very specific audiences and want as many “likes,” comments, and shares as possible.
Again, this can impact their self-esteem and mental health.
Social media addiction can make it difficult for them to stay focused in school, and it can start to take over nearly every aspect of their lives.
What Can You Do?
As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your child is to monitor their social media use.
Again, there are benefits. So, you don’t necessarily need to ban social media completely from your household.
But, try to limit screen time and keep an eye on their digital activities.
Have a talk with them about everything from cybersecurity to talking to strangers online.
If you’re struggling with how to talk to your child about social media, or you’re worried about the impact it may already be having on them, feel free to reach out and set up an appointment soon.