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    social media impact on children

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    social media impact on children

    Uploaded by

    celine hamouche
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    Research paper

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Research paper

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    3 views8 pages

    social media impact on children

    Uploaded by

    celine hamouche
    Research paper

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 8

    Page 1 of 8

    The Silent Struggle: Protecting Children’s Minds

    Francisca A. Moussa

    Department of humanities, Notre Dame University- Louaize

    COA359: Media& Society

    Dr. Maria Bou Zeid

    December 6, 2024

    Final Project: Impact of social media on mental health


    Page 2 of 8

    ABSTRACT KEY WORDS:

    Abstract:

    Social media plays a big role in children’s lives today, offering ways for them to express

    themselves and connect with others. Also it brings challenges like harmful comparisons,

    cyberbullying, and feelings of isolation, which can affect their mental health. Issues like anxiety,

    depression, and sleep problems are linked to too much social media use. This paper discusses the

    importance of understanding these risks and working together to create safer online spaces for

    children. It also emphasizes the need for media literacy to help children navigate the digital

    world in a healthy way.

    Keywords: Social media, Children, Mental health, Cyberbullying, Comparisons, Media literacy,

    screen time
    Page 3 of 8

    Table Contents

    1. Introduction

    o The Digital Influence on Children’s Lives

    2. Body 1: Balancing Social Media’s Impact

    o Opportunities for Creativity and Connection

    o Mental Health Challenges: Idealized Life and Comparisons

    3. Body 2: The Hidden Toll of Digital Overload

    o The Rise of Cyberbullying

    o Effects of Excessive Screen Time and Digital Stress

    4. Conclusion

    o Resume of all of the above

    o Protecting Children’s Mental Health in the Digital Age


    Page 4 of 8

    As children’s lives become increasingly connected to the digital world, social media serves as

    both a tool for connection and a source of mental health challenges. While it offers opportunities

    for creativity and belonging, it also exposes young users to harmful comparisons, cyberbullying,

    and feelings of isolation. These pressures can significantly impact their emotional and social

    development, often leading to long-term consequences. Understanding and addressing these

    impacts is essential, not just as an individual concern, but as a collective responsibility to protect

    the mental health of the next generation. Social media affects children's mental health in various

    ways; therefore, it is crucial for collective efforts to reduce its harm and promote safer, healthier

    online environments.

    Balancing Social Media’s Impact

    Social media is now a central part of children’s lives, influencing how they connect and express

    themselves every day, offering both creative opportunities and new ways to interact. It allows

    kids to express themselves, share their hobbies, and show off their talents. Platforms like

    Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are places where young people can find emotional support and

    feel like they belong to a community (Nesi et al., 2020). Social media can boost creativity and

    help children explore their identities, building confidence through positive feedback and shared

    experiences. That said, there are also significant drawbacks. Social media can also create big

    problems, especially when it comes to mental health. Many posts show an idealized version of

    life that’s not realistic, and kids can end up comparing themselves to these images. This can

    make them feel like they’re not good enough. Over time, these comparisons can hurt their self-

    esteem and even lead to anxiety and depression (Twenge & Campbell, 2018). Trying to live up

    to these impossible standards can make children lose touch with who they really are, leaving
    Page 5 of 8

    them with a distorted sense of self and lower confidence. We must remember that children are not

    emotionally equipped to handle everything they see, and they can be deeply affected by it.

    The Hidden Toll of Digital Overload

    Another major issue is the rise of cyberbullying. Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying

    happens online, where mean comments, embarrassing photos, or hurtful messages can spread

    quickly. This can feel overwhelming because it often follows kids everywhere—they can’t

    escape it. Research shows that cyberbullying causes severe stress, leading to problems like

    loneliness, poor grades, and social withdrawal (Kowalski et al., 2018). In some cases, it’s been

    linked to self-harm and even suicide, which is why stopping it is so important (Patchin &

    Hinduja, 2020). On top of that, spending too much time on social media can be harmful.

    Notifications, posts, and endless scrolling can overload young minds, causing stress and making

    it hard to focus (Anderson & Jiang, 2018). Too much screen time can also mess with sleep,

    making anxiety and depression even worse (Leone & Hakala, 2021). When kids spend more time

    online, they have fewer opportunities for face-to-face interactions, which are important for

    developing strong relationships and social skills. (Odgers & Jensen, 2020). To help children in

    this digital age, we need to tackle these challenges head-on and create healthier online spaces.

    As Maya Angelou wisely stated, "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry,

    and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their

    color." In the same way, every individual’s mental health deserves equal care and attention in the

    digital age. While social media can be a tool for self-expression and creativity, its detrimental
    Page 6 of 8

    effects, including anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying, threaten emotional well-being across

    all ages. Children, in particular, are not emotionally prepared to handle these pressures, which

    heightens the risks to their mental health. However, media literacy is essential for everyone—not

    just children—to critically navigate and assess the digital world responsibly. As we face this

    growing challenge, we must ask: How can we reshape the digital landscape to protect and

    support mental health for all while fostering media literacy as a universal skill?

    References
    Page 7 of 8

    Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2018). Teens, social media, and technology 2018. Pew Research

    Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org

    Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2018). Bullying in the

    digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying among youth. Journal of

    Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59(4), 374–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12874

    Leone, R. M., & Hakala, C. M. (2021). The impact of sleep deprivation on adolescent mental

    health: A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 55, 101382.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101382

    Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). The association between screen time and mental

    health: Evidence from a population-based study. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3–17.

    https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702617723376
    Page 8 of 8

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