Empowering Parents to
Protect Their Kids and
Hold Social Media
Companies Accountable

Studies have shown that social media is correlated to increased feelings of depression among its users. This trend is especially visible in adolescents, highlighted by another study that connects increased screen time among teenagers with a higher risk of depression and suicide.

According to a 2017 study, the use of social media platforms led to lower body satisfaction and self-esteem in young women. Further, the social comparison that social media promotes is tied to body dissatisfaction arising from comparisons to models and actresses who are standard in today’s media.

If your teenager is using social media for more than 120 minutes every day, this should trigger concern as a parent. If your teenager is engaging in social media in unhealthy ways such as cyber-bullying or “sexting”, this should also warrant immediate concern and be addressed as soon as possible.

Maryville University stated some helpful guidelines parents should follow for social media safety:

• Go over privacy settings in every application your teens’ use
• Implement parental controls on kids’ apps and games
• Remind your child that everything that goes out on the internet stays there forever, and encourage them to “think before they post.”
• Use adblocking software to limit exposure to inappropriate advertisements
• Have a family computer that’s shared, making monitoring easier