«Ask your child what they like in the virtual world»
Mrs Walitza, is social media bad for the psyche of adolescents?
It cannot be said across the board that social media or the internet have a fundamentally negative impact on children and young people. But there are risk constellations. This is the case, for example, if a young person is very insecure and uses social media intensively at the same time. This combination can favour depression. Researchers describe the phenomenon as «Facebook depression».
However, self-confidence is widespread in adolescence per se.
Yes, there is also the impulsiveness typical of this age. When adolescents feel hurt, offended or dissatisfied with their self-image, this often has a more profound impact than with adults, who have learnt to put situations into perspective. Adolescents find this more difficult. Problematic aspects of social media can have an additional unfavourable effect, especially if they already suffer from anxiety, are very sensitive or are self-confident.
The constant comparison on social media and the focus on ratings create stress and can affect self-esteem.
Which aspects of social media do you consider to be particularly challenging?
Numerous. But when children as young as eleven or twelve are confronted with disturbing images via Tiktok, for example, I am particularly concerned. However, the unrealistic role models that influencers and seemingly perfect models convey are also problematic. They contribute to the risk of adolescents developing a distorted understanding of relationships, interactions, appearance and self-image. The constant comparison and focus on judgement also create stress and can affect self-esteem.
Does gender also play a role in the impact of social media?
We recently conducted a study with Pro Juventute on how 14 to 25-year-olds deal with stress, media use and resilience. One of the findings was that girls suffer more from mental stress and tend to experience negative experiences more intensely than boys.
Girls are also increasingly concerned about the state of the world. This may be due to more frequent exposure to global issues through social media. We found that girls use social media more often, while boys are more likely to game. However, our study also showed that the majority of teenagers and young adults feel mentally well.
If parents themselves spend too much time online or on social media, this is problematic.
That is pleasing!
Definitely. The stress caused by social media was also less than expected. Nevertheless, it is a significant problem for 15 per cent of respondents. Around 10 per cent stated that they were at risk of problematic use of the internet and social media. Over 50 per cent also found it difficult to put their mobile phone down for a certain period of time.
The mechanisms of the platforms contribute to this.
Yes, social media and games activate the reward system in the brain - especially the dopamine system, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Likes, comments and endorsements generate a rapid surge of dopamine, which can lead to a kind of addictive cycle in which we are constantly looking for confirmation and positive reactions. But as long as providers earn money from the time we spend on the platforms - and therefore specifically integrate addictive elements - we are faced with a dilemma.
This is often frustrating for parents. How should they deal with it?
Firstly, they should teach their child media skills from an early age. This includes examining their role model effect and scrutinising their own media consumption. If they themselves spend too much time online or on social media, this is problematic. Children are also unable to tell the difference between parents working digitally or chatting. You should therefore always consciously make time for family interactions.
And the other?
Secondly, it is important that parents are available to their children as a corrective. This is because social media often has problematic effects when there are no such corrective figures - i.e. parents or older siblings with whom adolescents can discuss their problems. Parents can also help their children to critically scrutinise the effects of social media by addressing issues such as data protection, cyberbullying or the fear of missing out.
Banning social media is unrealistic and would turn young people into outsiders.
What about the utilisation time? Is the content more important than the duration?
In fact, the content plays a greater role than the time of use. If young people are in an environment that includes people suffering from anorexia or who talk about self-harm and drug abuse, this can be problematic or even risky. The situation is different with craft videos. Nevertheless, a study of 600 pupils showed that it was decisive whether young people spent more than four to five hours on electronic devices on school days. More time was associated with psychological problems such as sleep disorders.
How can parents assess whether their child is using social media in a healthy way?
Healthy use is demonstrated by the fact that young people can manage their time on social media and maintain a balance between digital and analogue activities. If children and young people can no longer put their mobile phones away - or get angry when they are supposed to - this is a warning sign. The same applies if they no longer carry out everyday tasks, their sleep-wake rhythm shifts, they are constantly irritable, show signs of withdrawal and their online time increases from week to week.
And when it has come to that? Retract the device?
No, before parents confiscate the device or set new rules, I recommend that they get an idea of what their child does and likes in the virtual world. So show an interest and talk to the child to find out the background. Social media should never be withheld from young people. This is unrealistic and would also turn them into outsiders. Especially as most young people use it in a healthy and good way. It is important to find a balance between control and trust. So that young people can learn to use their media responsibly while receiving support.
