Implications of social media summer surge among teens

IOWA CITY — Summertime means free time for many young people, and free time — especially for teens and preteens — can mean more time online and on social media.

Although connection is good — both in person and virtually — overconsumption of social media is not, according to Gerta Bardhoshi, University of Iowa College of Education professor of counselor education and director of research and training for the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health.

The Gazette spoke with her about the benefits and pitfalls of teens’ social media use, and what parents can do to regulate the time their children are spending online.

Q: What age are children starting to use social media these days?

A: The average age when they get on social media is 12.5.

Q: And what types of social media are they using?

A: YouTube is the number one — a lot of times you don’t think of YouTube as social media, but it’s the number one social media site. And then next is TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are the top four. And there are some gender differences. Girls are much more likely to use TikTok and Snapchat, and boys are more likely to use YouTube.

Q: How are they using it?

A: It’s mixed use. To connect and for entertainment are the top two purposes they are using it.

Q: What are some pros of social media use for children?

A: It can be a really powerful way of connecting, especially for some students who feel like they don't have outlets to a lot of social contacts in real life, or they're feeling socially isolated. It can provide them with opportunities for positive interaction and a sense of community. We know LGTBQ students specifically use it as a way of enhancing their support network.

Around 15, kids also become much more aware of the world around them and may take up causes for social change that they're passionate about. So we do see some positive use around vocalizing their ideas about what is just and how the world should be and advocating for change.

Q: What are some negative consequences of kids using social media?

A: Some of the algorithms that they use can steer them into negative content — into content about suicide or mental health issues. Algorithms can steer them into communities where there is cyberbullying or there is hate. They can be exposed to violent behavior or illegal activity, like using drugs.

So there are definitely some negative components to unlimited social media.

Q: Are there negatives when it comes to the amount of time spent on social media — beyond the type of content exposure?

A: The Pew Research Center just put out a study not too long ago where it looked at how often teens are saying they're using social media, and about 35 percent of them reported using it constantly, and then about 36 percent of them said that they're using it too much … So that certainly is a big concern.

Specifically for girls, if they're using it to compare themselves to others or seek approval or compare their appearance with other individuals, or if they are really preoccupied with how many likes they're getting … we know that that also can have implications for their self-esteem and body image.

Q: Is there a difference between how young people use social media during the school year and how they use it during the summer?

A: Yes. Because they are on summer break and they might have more additional free time on their hands, they are increasing their social media use … especially if some schools have rules about whether you can use social media, some even block social media access.

Q: What are some tools and tactics parents can use to curb their kids’ online and social media use and access?

A: One of the main things that I urge parents to implement is not allowing phones in the bedroom after some time in the evening, usually a couple of hours before bedtime, and then not allowing the phone to be in the room even if it's turned off — because it presents quite a temptation.

Parents can also install time limits on specific social media sites, so they can have parental control. And they can install a time limit where all phone use is shut off after 9 p.m.

Another thing to be proactive is creating rules … no phone use around the table, having specific times that are social media-free zones.

And a really big component too is for parents to regulate their own social media and phone use, because they can be a really powerful role model for kids. It's really hard to set limits if kids see that parents themselves don't have limits around their phone use and social media.

Q: How hard is it to set up parental controls on the content kids see?

A: It becomes more challenging when there's multiple devices in the home … That's why I recommend parents have a conversation with their kids, talking about some of the concerns with social media, talking about some of the benefits, asking the kids do you think you're on it too much? How would you like me to help?

Q: Are there physiological concerns with phone and social media use before bed?

A: There's a lot of research that shows that the blue light and then also the activity that's happening in their brains by engaging in social media and online content is actually interfering with their sleep, and that's crucial for their brain development — being able to get an adequate amount of sleep.

Q: When should parents start having these conversations?

A: Try to have some of those conversations ahead of time — certainly before they get social media. But it's never too late to have these conversations.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com