Social Media Addiction in Teens

Rob Knight, APC

Social Media is something that parents in the United States and the world all battle with daily.  Does social media have any benefits? Can we as parents turn a tool that the enemy meant for bad into something good? (Genesis 50:20) Social media applications run off personalized algorithms. A personalized algorithm in our phone, computer, or whatever medium we use is tailored to learn from us (SCARY I KNOW) and our connections to show us whatever will keep us on the apps we choose as long as possible (Bickers, 2023).   
These algorithms are set to drive specific areas of content intake for users such as friend relationships, content quality, prior user engagement, page relationships, etc. While watching videos, the algorithm can calculate how long the user stays and watches specific videos and which videos that user may scroll directly past. This allows the algorithm to funnel more videos like the ones the user watches and eliminate the ones scrolled past. The algorithm can turn a user's content into an echo chamber and confirm what the user believes to be the absolute truth and only strengthen their viewpoint as the only true and correct viewpoint.  While this algorithm can have a negative effect on social media, if we can teach our teens to become aware of this algorithm, then we, as parents, can funnel positive and useful content into the social media apps being used. 
Ways to improve our children’s social media algorithm; 

1. Deleting or blocking others
   
2. Adding or following others
   
3. Changing settings to see more or less content of specific areas
   
4. Paying attention to how long you stay on a video while scrolling 

 
The negative side effects of social media on mental health are clear. Major depressive disorder and anxiety can directly be related to teens viewing others social media page and feeling FOMO (fear of missing out) (Bickers, 2023). Cyberbullying is also on the rise with the amount of use in social media and teens. Teenagers can hide behind usernames and say whatever they want with no repercussions.  
However, the biggest issue with social media addiction is isolation. The internet and social media were made to connect others, but it seems to do the opposite for teenagers. Studies have shown that more than 3 hours per day on social media can lead to negative mental health effects. 
 
How Can Families Help? 

1. Speak with your teens- Have an open ended discussion with your children about their social media. What do they like? What do they not like? Give them an opportunity to speak about their experiences. 
   
2. ​Limit screen time- Settings in iPhone and Android give the user to ability to manage and limit the time used on specific apps.
   
3. Grey Out- Users can remove the color off of their screen to make the screen less attractive to the naked eye.
   
4. Establish device free time and zones at home- Sit down as a family and encourage times and places such as the dinner table and after 8 PM as family times where devices are not allowed.
   
5. Remove social media from phones- Allow social media use at home on computers only.
   
6. ​Create family activities during no device time that allows the teens to enjoy activities and face to face interactions 

Resources 
Bickers, Hunter. (2023). Social Media for Teens: Good or Bad? 2023 LPCAGA Conference. 
Telehealth.org