Social Media and Children

I am not sure what the current percentage is but I am sure the number is high for the number of school age children who have their own cell phones. Owning a cell phone has quickly  moved from a "nice to have" to a perceived "need to have" category. I work at a public high school that is also a boarding school so I have seen the growth in cell phone ownership over the past 4 years.

As a health care provider, I appreciate being able to leave cell phone messages for students to remind them of an appointment or to remind them to call and make an appointment for some follow up review. It is most convenient and I think provides more privacy. Parents appreciate being able to contact their children who are far from home and hear about their school day and events happening. I would not be surprised if teachers also appreciate being able to contact students conveniently.

As adults we are pretty aware of the downside of cell phone usage. I have to remind students to turn off their phones when in the clinic. I have had students who want to text others while talking to me. We know of the dangers of cell phone use and driving, and myths about ability to multitask while texting or talking on cell phones.  Cyberbullying and "sexting" are perhaps the most dangerous of all behaviors using social media. The anonymity of the Internet and cell phones, or falsifying identity has led to too many students avoiding school or worse, leading to depression, suicidal ideation and even death.

I am seeing a rise in insomnia complaints and can't help but wonder if cell phones are part of the problem. Children today can be socially connected 24/7. It is not always texting and calling, but gaming is also an issue of concern.

Usually adults model and teach children how to use a new tool and be responsible about its use. In the case of social media it is the children who are learning at lightning speed what social media can do and the adults are lagging behind, sometimes reluctantly or refusing to learn.  We must own some responsibility for giving our youth a tool and not properly preparing them or setting limits and guidelines about its use. We may react quickly when we see the cell phone bill, often being rudely awakened by the extent of the use. The real question is how is it being used.

Perhaps eChapter members of NAPNAP should be at the forefront in researching how social media use impacts children and adolescent social and cognitive development. Parents need us to address these issues with them and their children. Starting conversations about social media should be as much a part of every well child exam as nutrition and sleep are!