You may have heard a lot of chatter about the social media impact on children’s mental health lately. The 36 Months campaign In Australia has racked up more than 127,000 signatures at the time of writing.
The federal government recently passed the Bill to raise the legal minimum age of social media users to 16 years. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 aims to better protect ‘young Australians during critical stages of their development’.
While its critics argue that delaying exposure won’t help, or that the decision should be up to parents, the government’s opinion is clear. ‘We know social media is doing social harm,’ says Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
So what does the research say about the social media impact on mental health for our kids? And what can we do to help minimise any harm?
What is the social media impact on mental health for our kids?
It is no secret that social media has the potential to damage our mental health. A wealth of scientific research has pointed to the effects on not only children, but also adults. A longitudinal study in the US, for example, showed that teens who spent more than three hours a day on social media had double the risk of poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.
But of course, it’s not all bad. Social media can also bring rewards. These include connecting people, sharing information, nurturing creativity and providing a platform for users to share their voice.
But when it comes to young people, do these rewards outweigh the risks? Considering 98% of young Australians regularly use at least one social media platform, it’s an important question to ask. While some argue that the relationship isn’t causal, many experts do agree that the potential social media impact on children’s mental health is significant.
Potential social media impact on children’s mental health
Negatively influencing developing brains
Childhood and adolescence is a vulnerable time. We know that young people are still maturing psychologically, as the prefrontal cortex continues to develop into early adulthood. And technology use can have a cumulative impact on a developing brain, particularly in regards to attention, multi-tasking and cognitive load.
This is the part of the brain that helps a person control their impulses, solve problems and consider their actions’ consequences. Imagine how a person without this ability might conduct themselves on social media.
The 36 Months campaign argues that excessive social media use is ‘rewiring young brains’ and ‘causing an epidemic of mental illness’. It adds that children under the age of 16 need to develop a secure sense of self and social confidence without the influence of social media. Online conversations are vulnerable to miscommunication and can lead to hurt feelings and friendship issues in young people.
Negatively impacting self-confidence
It is widely agreed that social media is a minefield of social comparison. Social media feeds fail to show the full picture but instead portray highlight reels and edited images. This can of course lead to self-esteem and body image issues.
A study conducted on 14-year-old teens found that increased social media usage was linked to lower body image, lower self-esteem and higher depressive symptom scores.
Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
The University of Sydney’s Emerging Online Safety Issues: Co-creating social media education with young people report found that young users considered ‘content such as images and videos that target an individual or group based on gender, race or sexual identity, or that are violent or abhorrent’ particularly problematic.
It added, ‘One of the key concerns often voiced by young people is being exposed to unsolicited content that they don’t approve of and the difficulties they face having material removed.’ Similarly, the headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey 2022 found that 44% of young people feel there is more negative content than positive on social media.
Cyberbullying/trolling.
Cyberbullying is a concerning topic. Much research has shown that cyberbullying can lead to the development of mental health issues like depression and suicidal thoughts. The high rate of cyberbullying experienced by young people online makes this even more concerning.
According to eSafety research, one in five Australians aged eight to 17 years said they have been socially excluded, threatened or abused online. One in three young people surveyed by headspace said they had experienced problematic social media use.
Tips to help reduce the negative social media impact on mental health
Take the decision seriously.
Consider whether the positives of social media outweigh the negatives for your child. Is it worth the risk? Is it something you can push back for another year? Consider all of the evidence available to you, as well as the individual needs of your child.
Be aware.
The fact that you’re reading this article shows you care. Continue to access research to stay informed. It’s wise to also monitor social media platforms to see how they are protecting young users. This may help shape the rules in place for your family.
Educate your child.
Without instilling unnecessary fear and anxiety, it’s wise to discuss the red flags to watch out for on social media. For example, a stranger contacting your child, or anyone asking for private content or images. Online bullying and inappropriate behaviour should also be flagged.
Explain what your child can do in each of these situations and how you will support them. Strategies can include reporting the issue, removing content, blocking users, declining follow requests from strangers, disabling location services, never clicking on unknown links and never sharing private information or images.
Set limits.
Have a respectful conversation around your expectations for phone and social media use. Perhaps you may allow a particular platform but not others. Or you may require access in the early years. You can also help set time limits and privacy settings on their phone.
Work on supporting their mental health.
A good support network and a healthy sense of self may help your child to stay resilient in the face of any social media or cyberbullying issues. Focus on connection, face-to-face interactions with friends and building their sense of worth.
Monitor your child’s individual mental health.
Everyone responds to different stimuli in a different way. What one child might cruise past, may significantly affect another. Consider your particular child when setting restrictions. Keep an eye on their overall mental health and take action if you notice any changes.
Work on your relationship.
Strive for open, honest communication with your child so they feel they can come to you if they ever feel uncomfortable online. Express to them that they will have your support and guidance should they face challenges.
Model healthy social media use.
If you want your children to respect your limits, you must also practise what you preach when it comes to social media use.
Need more support?
If you would like to learn more about the social media impact on mental health and how you can support your child, our team of clinicians is here to help. We can also discuss online safety strategies and friendship challenges directly with your child. The Young Minds website is packed with free online resources or you can make an appointment request here.