May 09th, 2023

Social Media Health Recommendations

This spring a presidential panel of the American Psychological Association (APA) has produced recommendations for the use of social media by adolescents. The advisory panel was formed to provide recommendations grounded in research to ensure that adolescents develop healthy social media practices. The result is the American Psychological Association Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence. 

The report notes that while these platforms can promote healthy socialization, their use should be preceded by training in social media literacy to ensure that children and teens have skills that will maximize the chances for balanced, safe and meaningful experiences.

This report notes that social media use is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people. The effects of social media depend on adolescents' personal and psychological characteristics, social circumstances, and the specific content, features, or functions they encounter on social media platforms. 

The report emphasizes that not all findings apply equally to all children and teens. Scientific findings should be used in conjunction with knowledge of specific kids’ strengths, weaknesses, developmental maturity, and contexts to make decisions tailored to each individual. 

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

​In addition to the new report, the APA's chief science officer, Dr. Mitch Prinstein, provides Q&A and recommendations for parents on how to help teens develop social media literacy skills. Dr. Prinstein specifically advises parents to:

• Monitor and discuss social media use. Take a multipronged approach to social media management by setting time limits, monitoring your child's online activities, and engaging in ongoing discussions about social media. Limit chat functions and exposure to adult content, and consider allowing social media use only when children are at home.
• Model healthy social media use. Be a positive role model by demonstrating healthy social media behavior. Avoid using social media during family time and set limits on your own social media use. Discuss your own social media use with your children and take social media holidays together as a family.
• Watch for problematic social media use. Be vigilant for signs that your child may be using social media in unhealthy ways. Look for interference with daily routines, excessive use over in-person interactions, lack of sleep or physical activity, inability to stop using social media, and deceptive behavior. If necessary, enforce new limits or seek help from a mental health professional.
• Teach social media literacy. Recognize that social media literacy is essential for adolescents. Work with social media platforms, schools, and your teen to promote social media literacy skills. Discuss topics like recognizing false information, understanding the meaning behind likes, preventing conflicts, promoting positive body image, addressing discrimination, and seeking reliable mental health information.

 
You can read the APA's recommendations in full here, and Dr. Prinstein's Q&A here.