In today’s rapidly evolving onlife world, social media and technology often takes the blame and has become the scapegoat and lightning rod for various issues young people face. As parents and caregivers, we naturally want to create a stable environment for our children, but achieving stability in today’s onlife world can sometimes be a daunting task. It’s essential for parents and caregivers to understand the true scope of the onlife world, and the role social media and technology plays within it.
We have experienced a technological transformation comparable to the invention of the printing press – something known as the “Gutenberg effect”. The printing press was a technological breakthrough that revolutionized the way information was disseminated which had significant social, cultural, and intellectual consequences around the world.
Today, the internet, social media, technology, and artificial intelligence is the monumental change (the Gutenberg effect) that is reshaping our world. This vast, interconnected digital network has revolutionized how we access information, communicate, and interact with each other. However, in our efforts to protect our children, there are some who focus on social media and technology as the main causes of the increases in anxiety, depression, and instability in our children.
Parents have an instinctive drive to shield their children from harm, embodying the protective “mama and papa bear” instinct. Today this protective instinct often leads us to blame social media and technology for issues like anxiety, depression, and social isolation – commonly known as a “moral panic”. We saw the same thing happen in the past when it came to the consumption of comic books and rock-and-roll music by youth, that were seen to be ruining the moral fabric of our youth (1). However, by targeting social media and technology as “the” culprit, we create a “Nirvana Fallacy” which oversimplifies the complex realities of today’s onlife world. (2)
Have youth mental health challenges increased? – in some countries YES, and in other technological advanced countries like South Korea, NO! (3) However, it’s important to note that most teenagers do not suffer from mental health problems despite using social media and technology. Studies have shown that the majority of adolescents use social media without experiencing significant harm (4), and many even benefit from it by finding communities and support systems that they might not have access to offline – especially in the LGBTQ+ community. Many young people find ways to benefit from social media, using it as a tool for connection, creativity, and self-expression (5). Others are largely unaffected by its presence, managing to balance their online and offline lives effectively.
To better support our children in today’s onlife world, we need an age-appropriate and balanced perspective when it comes to the internet and technology, rather than a complete prohibition on its access and use. Here are some principles that we promote that parents and caregivers can take:
- Understand the broader context of the internet and its societal impact. Recognize that social media is just one part of a much larger onlife ecosystem.
- Encourage open dialogue with your children about their onlife experiences. Listen to their perspectives and concerns without immediate judgment.
- Establish reasonable age-appropriate guidelines for internet and social media use that promote healthy habits and reasonable balance – the right tech at the right time.
- Teach your children to critically evaluate the content they encounter online and to be mindful of their digital dossier- help them to build resiliency.
- Demonstrate balanced internet use in your own life. Show that it is possible to engage with digital platforms responsibly and positively – model good digital citizenship. To do this, you must also educate yourself.
Some political leaders, and some well-meaning parent groups alike, are calling for bans to protect our kids emotional, psychological, physical and social wellbeing. There is currently a New York Times bestseller that is helping this argument seem to make sense as well.
However, blaming social media and phones alone for the rise in adolescent mental health issues is too simplistic (4). There are many other contributing factors, and social media affects each teenager differently . Fact – most teenagers use social media without developing mental health problems, showing it’s possible to use it without harm (6). Some teens are indifferent to social media, while others find it beneficial. They use it for the same reasons they value offline friendships – support, communication, entertainment, and fun with one another. Certainly, it’s important to recognize that under specific circumstances, and for certain individuals, social media might have harmful effects, but not for the majority of youth. Again, this is why Dr Pete Etchells quote, “So instead of asking, does social media use cause mental health issues? perhaps a better question might be: why do some people prosper online while others get into real difficulty?” should be the question we all need to ask ourselves! (4)
The sense of community that social media, online gaming, and technology offer is also significant for marginalized or minority teens, including those who are autistic, LGBTQ+, or have chronic health issues. For these marginalized teens, the internet and technology have created new social opportunities, job opportunities, and relationship-building in ways that were previously unavailable. Some young people truly find more happiness with social media and technology than without it. As one parent messaged us:
“My son has autism and dare I use the term high functioning, the internet, gaming, apps, etc..has been extremely beneficial for him. Having said that, since he was 8 and received his first iPad there have been chats regarded to safety, and rules, limits to usage etc…all of this exposure combined with his love for technology and his ability to quickly catch on to anything techy has been great for him. We continue to have conversations about the positives and negatives, do’s and dont’s and he continues building on his knowledge. Technology is wonderful for kids with autism“
While technology and social media can present challenges, based on the good evidence-based research, it is not “the” root cause of all the emotional, psychological, physical, and social issues that most young people face today, and that some want you to believe. By understanding the broader digital landscape and fostering healthy online habits, parents can help their children navigate the onlife world with resilience and confidence. The goal is not to eliminate or prohibit the use of social media and technology, but to guide our children in using it wisely in a balances and age-appropriate manner. It’s all about “KNOW” technology rather than “NO” technology!
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
References:
1/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/the-echoes-of-moral-panic-what-is-old-is-new-again/
3/ https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/15/5405#
6/ https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Preprint.pdf