Spending two hours a day on Facebook and Instagram can be bad for a teenager's mental health. It may even cause psychological distress that could increase suicidal thoughts, a new study has revealed.
The research, conducted by Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga and Rosamund Lewis of the Ottawa Public Health, took data from the Ontario Student Drug Use & Health Survey of youngsters between grades seven to 12. They asked around 753 children regarding their social networking habits, as well as gave them quizzes about mental health. The kids were also asked if they were experiencing problems and if they have support for this.
The research has revealed that at least 25 percent of the teenagers spend over two hours daily on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. One in six of the participants exhibited poor mental health while one in four of the teenagers has some signs of depression and anxiety. Those who have poor mental health were three times more active on their social networking accounts and those who have thought about suicide were six times more active. Meanwhile, not knowing who to turn to for support when besieged with problems have made teenagers four times more active on social media, Mail Online stated.
"The findings send an important message to parents and suggest an opportunity to increase mental health support service offerings on these websites," said the researchers according to Business Standard.
"As social networking sites are increasingly becoming an integral part of life today, especially for children and adolescents, parents need to be aware of the pitfalls of social networking sites and actively engage with young people in making it a safer and more enjoyable experience for them," they added in the Daily Mail report.
Not everything is bad, however, as the experts see this as an opportunity for parents and even public health agencies and service providers to use the platforms for positive mental health.
Below are some suggestions for parents, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Virtual Medical Center:
1. Schedule computer use in the public part of the house, such as the living room, for easy monitoring of what the kids are doing and how long they have been on the computer. Insist on a strict schedule and let your child know how crucial it is to detach from technology once in a while.
2. Insist on a family policy --- follow or friend each other on social media accounts, as it is easier to do a check and balance. As a parent, you should be aware of what the topics your kids are interested in online and who they are sharing these with.
3. Be vigilant of the warning signs, such as when kids family activities, school work and even dinner in favor of social media. Seek a health professional when this habit has become harmful.
