The mental health of tweens and teens has decreased even before the pandemic, but the severity of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness has skyrocketed since 2020. Among the highlights of last year are remarks by Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, the declaration of a mental health emergency by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the warning by the CDC’s deputy director on the dire state of young people’s mental health.
Anxiety, depression, body image concerns, self-harm, and addiction are more common among girls than boys. Social media use is one of the most important factors contributing to this gender discrepancy. In contrast with boys who play video games, girls are more likely to connect via Snapchat, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram. Passively exploring these platforms has negative psychological effects, especially when done for a long period of time.
Tween and teen girls’ mental health seems to be more adversely affected by social media than boys or females of other ages. Social media dramatically amplifies girls’ anxiety about fitting in and belonging during adolescence, as well as their self-consciousness about their developing bodies. Online bullying and lack of sleep caused by social media make for a perfect storm.
In particular, social media can be damaging to girls with depression or self-esteem problems. In 2017, researchers found that depressive mood predicted more Instagram posts among adolescents, and in 2019, researchers found that depressive symptoms are associated with more social media use among teen girls. Social media use by girls with mental health issues tends to worsen their mental health.
Until high school, avoid social media
As a clinical psychologist, I frequently suggest to parents of girls that they wait until their daughters are about 14 to give them smart phones – where social media is typically accessed. Most tweens today have smartphones, which may pose a safety risk for girls and may result in them not fitting in socially. Despite these valid concerns, middle school social media use should be weighed against its potentially harmful effects.
In order to keep themselves safe, girls should carry flip phones. There may be social repercussions for delaying social media use, but a major study from 2022 revealed that middle school girls are particularly susceptible to the pernicious effects of social media. According to an extensive study of 84,000 people between 10 and 80, the use of social media by tween girls (11-13) was strongly associated with lower life satisfaction.
A useful strategy for delaying social media access can be found on Wait Until 8th, an online organization. Take a collective stand with other parents in your daughter’s friend group by engaging with them before middle school and starting an ongoing conversation with her before middle school.
Establish a family media plan
It is best to develop a media plan involving the whole family over a family meal or an evening gathering for maximum effect. In the plan, screen-time is limited and tech-free zones are created. Families may decide to disable internet access after 10 p.m. or that social media use is limited to one hour per day and everyone installs a time-tracking app. It is also possible to declare that no technology will be used while hanging out on the porch at home or when going on family vacations.
When parents model the behavior and follow the same rules as their children, the plan works best. There are, of course, times when that is not possible. Consider committing to some limits on the use of social media and/or screen time as at least a starting point. Disabling access with apps or in-device features can be creative; the American Academy of Pediatrics’ website offers some ideas.
Share your thoughts, listen to others, and ask questions
Prepare some questions or prompts before your discussion with your tweens and teens, and then listen. Observing and listening with patience in a supportive, accepting, and warm manner goes a long way.
Find out what is important to your daughter about social media, what she thinks about different posts and how she feels before and after scrolling or posting.
Find out how she feels about being true to herself online and how others portray themselves online.
As she uses social media, encourage her to be mindful – observe when and why she logs in, how long she stays there, which feeds make her feel bad about herself versus those that inspire her and teach her something new, and so forth. In addition, she should be supported in blocking or muting accounts that adversely affect her.
Identify the profit motive behind all social media companies, and discuss online advertising and filters.
Consider how social media contact may harm some people or populations your daughter cares about by working together to demonstrate empathy and compassion.
You, too, may fall victim to some degree to seeing highly curated online posts as reflections of reality; be humble and vulnerable, and share your experiences. It has been shown in a 2017 study that teens are more likely to be protected from the unrealistic effects of social media if they are aware of its unrealistic nature.
A discussion of online harassment and cyberbullying is necessary
In a 2019 article published in Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, cyberbullying was reported to account for a significant portion of the negative mental health outcomes associated with social media use among girls. Educate yourself on reputable websites such as StopBullying.gov before having a conversation about harmful language or behavior online. Play a role-play in which you describe what your daughter would do if someone posted false information about her.
If your children encounter any problems or concerns online, make sure they feel comfortable coming to you. Do not hesitate to ask if your tween or teen’s mood or behavior has changed significantly.
Avoid replacing other activities with social media
Girls’ psychological wellbeing is negatively affected by high social media usage partly because it cuts into their time for sleep, exercise, and socialization. Thus, encouraging your daughters to practice these (mental) health-promoting behaviors could result in better outcomes for them. Playing sports or instituting phone-free time will encourage your daughters to use less social media and be healthier mentally.
The post Girls’ Mental Health and Social Media: A Guide to Reducing Negative Effects appeared first on Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute.