Negative Impact of social media kids

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Negative Impact of Social Media on Kids www.sweedu.com

The impact of social media on your children’s self- esteem

90%

of teens ages 13-17 have used social media, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Research conducted by the Dove Self-Esteem Project in 2020 revealed starting insights: have downloaded a filter or used an app 80% ofto girls change their appereance by the age of 13.

67%

of girls try to change or hide at least one body part or feature in their social media posts.

59%

of girls with lower-reported self-esteem regularly distort their photos.

of girls say they don’t “look good enough” 37% without editing their photos.

Parents struggle with the best way to handle social media. Some choose to prohibit their teens from using it entirely. Others closely monitor their child’s behavior on social media apps, either by following their child or using parental protection aaps. www.sweedu.com

Three strategies parents can use to help prevent social media from crushing their children’s self-esteem.

1. Be aware of your own social media behaviors.

Parents often forget that they are their children’s biggest role models.

Avoid commenting on your own appearance in photos (” I look fat in that picture”). Try not to speak negatively of other people’s photos.

2. Talk to your child! Have a conversation.

Instead of yelling at your children or shaming them for what they post, ask them to educate you about their social media behaviors. Asking your child questions shows you are interested in their responses and makes them more likely to talk. about what social media is like for your child.

3. Recognize that you cannot relate to your children’s experiences.

We as parents have no clue what it is like to grow up in a 24-7 online

generation. As much as we can try to relate, our kids will be

completely put off by hearing, “I get it,I know what it is like.”

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Conclusion Althought the statistics are rather grim, there are some benefits to social media fo children and teenagers.

Children who have social anxiety or stuggles with peer groups can use social media as a resource for making friends.

Social Media can be a positive outlet for finding peers with similar interest, as well as an oppurtunity to “practice” social skills at a safer distance.

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