A new advisory from the U.S.
Experts on media and youth and mental health weigh in on how best to navigate these tricky waters.
What is the report actually saying?
The title makes it seem like all social media is evil, but dont panic yet.
However, thats not what the advisory is reporting.
You may have heard ofthese trends or challenges, some of which can cause serious harm to kids.
The report also shows an association with high frequency social media use and negative mental health.
Essentially, they saw changes in the brain being more sensitive to social feedback.
This continues to have an impact on how the brain develops into adulthood.
(Shecites a studywhich found these associations.)
How social media changes kids brains
Childrens brains areconstantly and quickly developing.
She says this desire for attention is exactly what social media use can exploit.
Paired with underdeveloped self-control, it all points to how vulnerable the adolescent brain is.
Kim explains how these brain changes translate into life-long ways of interacting with the world.
Both positive and negative experiences help shape parts of teens brains as well as teens well-being, she says.
What should parents do?
Kim says to include children in the decision-making process about setting screen-time limits.
By making them active participants in setting boundaries, Kim says limits will feel less like punishment.
Help encourage your child to have positive social interactions in the real world.
She says the emphasis should be on not how they look but what they do.
Its also important to integrate skills at home that will set kids up to make good decisions online.
Not only will these skills help with social media, but also in real life interactions as well.
