CAVEAT – Following our recent blog article, “Cellphone Bans In Schools: The Other Side Of The Debate,” (1) many parents and educators reached out to us privately, grateful for the research we highlighted—research they hadn’t been aware of. They plan to present this information to their schools at the start of the new school year this fall, aiming to bring balance to this important topic of discussion and debate.
In this blog article, “Tech, Social Media, & Teens: Addressing Five Concerns with Research-Based Insights,” we aim to continue addressing other popular parental concerns with evidence-based information and perspectives. We hope to once again stimulate informed discussions among parents and caregivers surrounding their teens balanced and age-appropriate use of technology and social media.
As parents and caregivers, it’s natural to have concerns about technology and social media and the impact they have on our kid’s well-being, especially given the moral panic-based headlines often seen in the media. (2)(3) However, there is good research indicating that social media can also have a positive influence on teen development when used in a balanced and age-appropriate manner. Unfortunately, these findings often go unnoticed by parents because they don’t capture the media headlines. Here are five common concerns parents often have about teens and their use of social media that we have heard, along with recent research findings that provide an alternative perspective for your consideration.
Concern #1: “Tech and social media increases loneliness in our teens!”
We often hear that technology and social media contribute to loneliness among children. However, consider the Pew Research 2022 survey “Connection, Creativity, and Drama: Teen Life on Social Media in 2022,” (4) which revealed the following:
- 58% of teens said social media helps them feel more accepted.
- 67% stated it connects them to people who can help them through tough times.
- 80% mentioned it keeps them updated on their friends’ lives.
These statistics indicate that social media can be a source of support and acceptance, crucial during the teenage years. This was also reflected by MediaSmarts Canada in their 2023 “Young Canadians In A Wired World, Phase IV” report (5), that supports the second above noted bullet:
“An important demographic finding was that youth with disabilities were more likely to report reaching out to their peers online, particularly on social media, to access community, support, and resources. Similarly, we noticed that LGBTQ+ youth were more likely to turn to social networks of online communities for support highlighting the importance of online communities for these two groups of young Canadians.”
The 2021 U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey also provided insights into social media use and feelings of loneliness among teens (6):
- Teens who rarely or never use social media reported having fewer close contacts with parents, friends, and organizations.
- Screen use was not related to not feeling close to others at school.
- Teens who rarely or never use screens were 2.5 times more likely to miss school out of fear compared to those who used screens regularly.
Finally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in loneliness and mental health-related issues among youth and teens. Loneliness contributed to and worsened depression and anxiety in those with preexisting mental health conditions. Lonely adolescents were more likely to turn to social media to cope with the limitations on real-life social interactions to combat loneliness. (7)
As with everything associated with technology and social media, context of use is important when it comes to loneliness!
Concern #2 – “Teens are spending 8 hours a day on their phones which is about 80 hours a week, which doesn’t leave anytime for offline activities!”
This statistic comes from a 2021 Common Sense Census, “Media Use By Tweens and Teens, 2021” (8) It is important to note that this research was specific to all screens including, cellphones, TV’s, Computers (including at school), and gaming consoles.
However, MediaSmarts Canada in their 2023 “Young Canadians In A Wired World, Phase IV” report (5) found:
“For a slight majority of young Canadians, weekday screen use falls within the recommended guidelines of no more than two hours per day of screen time. Most participants said they spend most of their weekdays screen time doing schoolwork. Outside of schoolwork, youth are most likely to spend one to two hours per day on a digital device on weekdays and three or more hours on the weekend.”
Based on MediaSmarts data, Canadian teens are on “average” spending closer to 20 hours a week on screens (outside of school hours), or about 3 hours per day, which leaves lots of time for other activities. This number was also supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services that found teens average about 3.5 hours per day online (9)
Concern #3 – “Kids are just wasting their time online Zombie scrolling!”
It’s crucial to recognize that it’s not just the amount of time our kids spend online that matters, but rather how they are using that time. Yes, teen primarily use their technology and social media to stay connected with friends, but MediaSmarts Canada also reported (5):
“youth value creative online activities like making movies, art, or music online. Most youth said they post content online and use their smartphones to engage in these creative activities. About half of all participants said they also use their smartphones to take notes or journal, read books, and listen to podcasts.”
Yes, most teens are primarily using their screens to communicate with friends and to be creators (10) rather than just mindless tech zombie scrolling consumers (11)
Concern #4: “Tech and social media reduce offline friendships!”
Another common argument – online time reduces offline friendships. However, a 2024 study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, which followed 600 teens from ages 10 to 18, found that social media use does not detract from offline social skills. (12) The study discovered:
- Increased social media use was associated with a slight increase in the number of days teens spent with friends offline.
- Teens who actively engaged on social media (liking, commenting, posting) were more likely to spend time with friends offline.
MediaSmarts Canada in their 2023 “Young Canadians In A Wired World, Phase IV” report (5)found:
- “The most frequent uses were to communicate with friends and family members, which nearly all participants (97%) reported doing”
These findings suggest that a balanced and age-appropriate use of technology and social media can complement offline friendships.
Concern #5: “Tech and social media negatively affect our kids’ social skills!”
But White Hatter, we have been told that technology and social media is having a negative effect on our kid’s social skills. Well, what about the above-mentioned Norwegian study (12)that also found no evidence that social media use leads to a decline in social skills for most teens. The study concluded:
- Teens who socialize well online tend to do so offline as well.
- Neither age or gender affected the positive relationship between social media use and offline socialization.
However, the study also noted a small negative impact on social skills in teens with higher levels of social anxiety. This is why Dr. Etchells’ comment in his book “Unlocked – The Real Science of Screen Time (and How to Spend it Better)” is important (13):
“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?”
While these studies and research highlight the potential benefits of social media when approached in a balanced and age-appropriate manner, parents and caregivers should also be aware of the valid concerns that surround tech and social media which is supported by evidence-based research. Some of these concerns include – sleep challenges, social comparison issues, cyberbullying (or digital peer aggression), sexual predation and exploitation, hate crimes, pornography and hypersexualization, game toxicity, and online gambling among others. These concerns are discussed in detail in our free web book for parents, caregivers, and educators. (14)
Remember, technology and social media provide teenagers with a way to:
- communicate and stay in contact with friends and family
- participate in group discussions
- stay informed about current events
- conduct research and self-learning
- create and produce content
- create postsecondary and job opportunities
- meet new people
- entertain themselves (music, movies, podcasts, e-books, games)
Contrary to popular belief, teens still chat with one another face-to-face at the bus stop, park, or while walking to and from school. (15) However, they now use social media to enhance and continue these “offline” interactions when they’re apart. Just as adults once used rotary and push button phones and party lines to stay connected for hours (been there done that), today’s youth use technology and social media to achieve the same connection.
While concerns about the negative impacts of technology and social media on teens are valid, it’s essential to recognize the potential benefits that technology and these platforms can offer when used responsibly and in moderation. By staying informed through current research and adopting practical and evidence-based digital literacy strategies, parents and caregivers can guide their teens toward a balanced, age-appropriate use of technology that fosters acceptance, support, connection, and resiliency. Your involvement and guidance as a parent or caregive are crucial in helping your teens navigate today’s onlife world, ensuring that social media becomes a safer, more positive, and enriching part of their lives. (16)(17)
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Feelings, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Technology vs No Technology!
References:
2/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/ding-juvenoia-moral-panic-its-impact-on-onlife-parenting/
3/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/the-echoes-of-moral-panic-what-is-old-is-new-again/
5/ https://mediasmarts.ca/sites/default/files/2023-07/report_ycwwiv_trends_recommendations.pdf
6/ https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/data/index.html
7/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jora.12650
9/ https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/youth-mental-health/social-media/index.html
10/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/most-teens-using-tech-social-media-in-a-positive-way-case-in-point/
11/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/are-todays-teens-becoming-mindless-tech-zombies/
12/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563224001031
14/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/online-parenting-book/
17/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/a-transformational-approach-to-parenting-in-todays-onlife-world/
