Social Media’s impact on children

For every hour that teens spend on social media each day, their risk of depression increases by 13%. That’s a big deal, especially since the average teen spends about 4.8 hours a day on social media, especially YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Seventeen-year-olds average closer to 6 hours per day.

Between 2010 and 2019, the rates of teenagers and college students with anxiety or depression more than doubled in the U.S. Emergency department visits for self-harm for girls ages 10-14 increased by four times between 2010 and 2021. Other factors have been blamed for these sharp increases in mental health concerns. However, when we examine all the research together, it becomes clear that social media plays a significant role in the problem.

Spending hours on social media also means kids are not engaging in other important activities. Since 2010, teens have been sleeping less, exercising less and spending less time with friends in person. School performance also has declined. As a pediatrician, I’ve seen kids lose interest in hobbies, spend less time with friends and have trouble sleeping while spending more and more time on their phones.

So, what can we do? We can start by making changes in schools and at home.

Texas recently banned the use of cell phones in public schools during the school day. This should be viewed as a positive change. When students aren’t attached to their phones, they can focus better and interact with friends in person. To reduce pushback, schools should make sure phones are stored in safe locations and that parents have a way of contacting their children in case of an emergency.

At home, parents also can help. Talk with other parents, such as your child’s friends’ parents, about setting rules for social media. Let your kids be part of the conversation. Help them come up with other fun things to do, like reading, playing games or going outside – and do those things with them! If going outside is challenging, help kids come up with games that can be safely played indoors. Teach kids how to cook (even simple dishes!) or have them help with other household chores. Even watching a TV show or movie or playing a video game together as a family is an alternative to phone use. Healthychildren.org can help create a plan to reduce media usage in your family’s home.

Parents also should try to set a good example by limiting their own phone use. When you put your phone down and spend time with your kids or friends, your kids are more likely to do that, too. You may even notice positive changes in your own life! At the very least, you will gain back time that you would have spent on your phone.

By spending less time on social media, we can help improve kids’ mental and physical health—and bring families and communities closer together.

By Dr. David McDonald, pediatric resident at Baylor College of Medicine