Too much screen time

HEAVY SOCIAL MEDIA USE CAN:

– negatively affect teens self-esteem and interpersonal relationships

– decrease social and emotional functioning

– increase in Cyber bullying

– normalize and even premote self- harm and suciadity

– lead to chronic sleep deprivation

– negatively affect academic performance

Evidence suggests that too much time spent on social media leads to an increase in mental distress, self-injury and suicidality among youth, especially among girls.

Even as states have loosened restrictions and people have started to get back “out into the world,” screen time including the use of social media, has continued to rise among children and teens. While much of this has resulted from the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has forced young people into isolation, there are still calls for parents to balance screen time due to its impact on kids’ mental health and general well being.