Teens and social media: When is it too much?

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By Dr. Max J. Coppes, Grand.D., PhD, MBA

Social media icons Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram

The utilise of social apps—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat—has become an integral part of most people's lives. In contrast to traditional media where one source is going to many receivers, social media operates in a dialogic transmission system, whereby many sources interact, sometimes simultaneously, with many receivers. This provides for superior interactivity between its users. Not surprisingly, it likewise plays a major role in the lives of our children one time they are old enough to understand how to access and use social media.

On average, children start exploring social media at around ages 10 to 12. They speedily discover that electronic communication allows for unique and personalized ways to brand and continue friendships, develop and expand family ties, go aid with homework, share music, art, and experiences, and find the earth in all its often unrestricted facets.

Surveys suggest that over 90 pct of teenagers use social media and that approximately 75 percentage accept at to the lowest degree one agile social media profile by historic period 17. Access to social media is profoundly facilitated by the fact that over 2-thirds of teens have their own mobile devices with internet capabilities, a substantial change relative to previous generations.

While it is generally felt that the use of social media has many positive aspects, we now besides recognize that its utilise tin have negative impacts. The utilise of hazardous sites or the inherent risks of using social media (identity theft, beingness hacked, cyber-bullying, etc.) are indeed damaging to children. Whatever use of hazardous social media is too much and carries serious hazards.

But what almost the employ of "normal" and/or "safe" social media? Well, information suggest that besides much use of "not-chancy" social media can indeed affect health.

Start, some basic data. For case, how much do normal teenagers utilise social media? A report from the Pew Research Center found that more than 50 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds get online several times a day. This quickly increases during the teenage years to over 70 minutes per twenty-four hours, with teenage girls having the highest usage at just over 140 minutes per day. It is important to recognize that non-school related use of the internet and social media is often beheld by teenagers as important for developing their self-esteem, their acceptance among peers and their mental health in general.

As parents, we recognize that the use of social media can indeed contribute, in many positive ways, to our children's growth. At the aforementioned time, we also worry virtually them spending too much fourth dimension online. Nosotros worry nigh their ability to communicate finer in face-to-face settings or in writing. Many of us also feel and/or worry that our children are addicted to social media.

Recent studies suggest that the overuse of social media indeed mirrors addiction. Reports now testify that teenagers and higher kids experience feet when deprived of their connected devices and consequently feel a compulsion to admission their social media applications. The emotional symptoms they experience are very similar to those seen in substance abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association is because making internet addiction a bonafide diagnosis. Pediatricians, therefore, encourage limits on the use of social media, a recommendation more than easily suggested than accomplished.

Then, when should a parent seek assist? Aside from unhealthy use of social media (cyber-bullying, sexting, online users asking for sexual relations, etc., which should be addressed immediately), the use of social media for more than 120 minutes per day should trigger parental concern. If you feel unable to deal with the overuse of social media, contact your pediatrician for aid and guidance.

Dr. Max J. Coppes, M.D., PhD, MBA, is professor and Nell J. Redfield chair of pediatrics at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. He is too physician-in-primary at Renown Children's Infirmary.

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The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine , Nevada'south kickoff public medical school, is a customs-based, inquiry-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a good for you Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the wellness and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student instruction, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global affect and a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Released: Wednesday January 23, 2019 @ 4:00 PM