Medical Minute

Social media and cell phones can be powerful tools for staying connected, but for adolescents, it can also impact mental health. Studies suggest that excessive social media use and excessive cell phone use has been linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety in teens. The constant comparison to others, possible cyberbullying, and pressure to maintain a "perfect" online image may contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Social media may also expose children to content that is violent or misleading.  It's important for teens and parents to be mindful of screen time, encourage face-to-face interactions, and promote a balanced life offline.

Parents should be mindful of their own social media use and cell phone use, and their behaviors that they model for their children. Excessive parental cell phone use has also been linked to childhood anxiety and depression. It is important to establish rules for the entirety of the family for social media use. Parents should also have frequent conversations with their children about what they are seeing on social media and their cell phone to ensure safe use.

Healthychildren.org, a website by the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides valuable information on social media and cell phone usage.