Understanding Social Media’s Impact on Teens
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Understanding Social Media’s Impact on Teens
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Hello, I'm Josh, the founder of SmartSocial.com.
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Social media offers teens opportunities for creativity, socialization, and learning. It also brings significant emotional and behavioral challenges that parents and caregivers must navigate. From the pressure of curated online personas to the hidden risks of cyberbullying, comparison culture, misinformation, and screen addiction, social media can have profound effects on a teen’s mental well-being.
In this post, we’ll explore the emotional and behavioral impact of social media on teens, uncover the hidden dangers lurking behind the screen, and provide practical strategies for parents to guide their children toward safe and responsible online habits. Understanding social media’s effects on teens can help parents foster healthier relationships between their teens and technology while equipping them with the tools to thrive in a digital world.
Educators and parents: Guide your students' reflection and discussion with this student worksheet. (Log in to your Google account and select File-->Make a Copy)
What Parents Need to Know
Top 3 Social Media Platforms by Teen Usage (13-17 years old)
(Source: Pew Research)
TikTok: 63% of teens have used, 58% use daily
Snapchat: 60% of teens have used, 51% use daily
Instagram: 59% of teens have used, 47% use daily
7 Disturbing Things Predators Say to Kids Online
- “Let’s turn on Vanishing Mode” - so content and conversation threads will disappear
- “Set up another Instagram account, and chat with me there” - parents won’t have that login information
- “You’re so pretty, I understand you, your parents don’t get you” - predators try to build trust, grooming
- “Your parents wouldn’t understand; don’t tell them we talked” - hiding the relationship
- “How old are you? Where are you? What school do you go to?” - collecting personal information
- “Here’s a photo of me, now send one of you” - pushing to get an inappropriate photo from your child for future sextortion
- “Send money or I will send this photo to all of your friends and family” - Harassing, blackmailing, and threatening a student, causing extreme stress and humiliation
What can parents do?
- Parents should have an ongoing conversation with their kids about the negative effects of social media (view our dialogue starters below)
- Create a Family Media Agreement WITH your kids to help them feel in control of their screen time and digital media use
- Review and implement parental controls on your kids' devices to help reduce the risks associated with social media and screen time
More resources for parents, students, & educators
Parental Controls on Student Devices: What Parents & Educators Need to Know
Conclusion
As social media continues to evolve, so do its effects on teens’ emotional and behavioral well-being. While it offers valuable opportunities for connection, social support, creativity, and learning, it also presents significant risks that parents and caregivers must address. Continuous conversations, setting boundaries, and proactive guidance can empower young people to make informed choices, ensuring that their online experiences contribute positively to their development rather than becoming a source of stress or harm. With the right strategies, parents can help their children build a balanced and healthy relationship with social media in an increasingly connected world.
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This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!
Sharon M.
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