Social media has become increasingly popular today, especially among young people, and a pervasive part of our society. A 2023 report from the Surgeon General details that 95% of minors ages 13-17 report using social media, while 40% of children ages 8-12 reported the same despite minimum age requirements for the platforms.
So, it seems kids just want to connect with their friends, and that’s harmless. Or is it? Remember the saying: Things may not always be what they appear to be. This is certainly the case when it comes to the use of social media, for which there are some risks we need to be aware of.
Among them are an increasing number of mental-health problems we are finding among young people today.
Significant findings have been made with regard to exposure time with social media and the severity of experiences with anxiety, depression and problems with emotional self-regulation. This is well detailed in the 2020 Netflix documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” which I strongly recommend.
Studies have found that a majority of teens have been exposed to online cyberbullying, including being called offensive names, having false rumors spread or being the target of physical threats. Kids can experience a greater sense of loneliness and isolation as social media becomes a forum for comparison, judgment and worse. It creates a greater disconnect for kids and their ability to socialize with others in the real world. I have also seen this in my work as a psychotherapist, both with kids and parents, in which the use of social media was a problem.
I met a woman fairly recently who, along with her husband, had given their 12-year-old daughter “carte blanche” access to all the social media apps the day she started middle school after she had insisted on her need for access because all of her friends were using them. The mother stated that her daughter began getting more and more depressed as the year drew on — to the point of being troubled by thoughts of wanting to hurt herself, which she had shared with her mother. The mother was at that point seeking counseling for her daughter.
No doubt, depression has become an increasingly problematic issue for kids using social media.
Another risk involves online child sex predators. St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office reported having made 14 arrests in June 2023 involving online sex predators, many who were using popular social media apps. In 2022, major social media sites reported a 9% increase in suspected child sexual abuse materials on their platforms. Of those reports, 85% came from platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Another concern pertains to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated pornography. The rapid advancement of AI programs capable of generating realistic images has led to an explosion in child pornography and blackmail attempts by criminals determined to exploit children and teenagers.
Privacy and is also a major risk. This includes vulnerability to breaches of personally identifying information, passwords and other information that cybercriminals may be able to exploit. When pictures or files are shared, they are potentially on the internet forever. Identity theft, blackmail and other coercive actions can be taken by cybercriminals gaining access to personal information.
Here are some tips: Talk to your children about the risks of social media. Explain to them the dangers of cyberbullying, online predators, excessive use and privacy concerns. Set limits on your children's social media use. Limit the amount of time they spend on social media each day, and make sure they are using it in a safe and responsible way. Monitor your children's social media activity. Check their accounts regularly to see what they are posting and who they are interacting with. Use parental controls. There are a number of parental controls available that can help you restrict your children's access to certain content on social media platforms. The best thing to do is to stay aware of the dangers of the apps your kids are using and educate them on their hazards.
