Should children use social media?

The impact of social media on children varies depending on their level of maturity. (Photo: NYT)

The American Psychological Association (APA) urged parents to limit children's exposure to TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram in its report. The APA offered 10 recommendations for parents, teachers, policymakers, technology companies, and healthcare professionals to ensure children develop healthy social media habits.

According to APA President Thema Bryant, social media isn't entirely beneficial or harmful to young people. However, due to varying levels of maturity, some are more vulnerable than others to exposure to content across multiple platforms. Science has shown that this can impact healthy development.

The APA compares teaching people how to use social media safely and healthily to driver training.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, children today use social media more than ever before. 95% of American teenagers report having an account on a platform. Parents are also noticing changes in their children. More than half of parents with children under 18 feel their child's mental health has been negatively impacted by social media use, according to The Harris Poll.

The APA guides parents in controlling their children's social media activity, minimizing exposure to self-harming content, eating disorders, and other "high-risk" behaviors. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to limit children's exposure to content that promotes prejudice and hatred based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

Other recommendations include limiting content related to appearance and beauty, and ensuring that its use does not interfere with sleep or physical activity.

An early sign that social media is negatively impacting children is mood swings, according to Ariana Hoet, a pediatric psychologist at the National Children's Hospital in the US. She explains that when children experience things like depression or anxiety, they become irritable and angry rather than sad and nervous. Parents should look for changes in their children's moods and behavior.

Other unhealthy behaviors include demanding behavior, loss of educational opportunities or relationships, and lying to gain access to social media.

(According to The Hill)

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tre-em-co-nen-dung-mang-xa-hoi-2143440.html