New poll reveals parents’ top concern as kids return to school: excessive social media use.

An ⁢increasing number of parents have expressed concern over⁤ their children’s digital habits as their kids return to ​the classroom, findings from a ​ new ​poll show.

Two-thirds of ⁣parents surveyed say overall screen time, followed by social media ‍overuse and internet safety, are major concerns, according⁤ to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

“Children are using ⁣digital devices and social media at younger ages, and‌ parents may struggle with‌ how to‌ appropriately monitor use to prevent negative impacts on safety, self-esteem,‍ social connections,⁣ and habits that may interfere with sleep‌ and ⁤other‍ areas of health,”⁤ said Mott Poll co-director and Mott ​pediatrician Dr. Susan Woolford in a ⁣news release.

Harmful Effects of Social Media

Findings from the poll, based on a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 respondents, ‌also⁤ reveal that 50 ⁤percent of ⁤parents are ⁤concerned about mental health problems such as depression, suicide, stress, and anxiety associated with excessive screen‍ use.

Social media platforms include Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and​ Facebook.

Findings‍ from a 2019 study ‍ published ‍in‌ JAMA Psychiatry showed preteens and teens ⁢who spent more ‌than three hours per day on social media had a 60 ⁢percent higher​ risk‍ of⁤ developing mental health problems. Separate research shows unhealthy scrolling is a significant source of distraction ‍that can lead ⁢to addiction, which⁤ then ​adversely ‌ impacts academic performance ⁣and fuels unrealistic expectations when kids compare themselves ‍to ⁣popular, self-declared influencers.

According‍ to an ⁤ official‍ blog by the National Eating⁢ Disorder Association, social ‍media platforms are​ linked ⁢to a fixation on appearance, pressure to be muscular, and reduced body satisfaction. Social media also sets‌ students up​ for cyberbullying.​ Fifty-nine percent of teens in the United ‌States say they’ve been⁢ bullied or harassed⁢ online.

What⁣ to Do

The back-to-school months​ are ⁣an excellent time to‌ reinstate expectations and set limits that may have been lifted‌ during ⁣the ‍summer months.

“It is typical for ​parents to⁢ relax those rules during the summer, but once⁢ school starts, parents ​and children need⁣ to ​have⁢ a⁤ conversation about limits on social media and screen time by setting up agreed-upon rules,” Dr. Michelle Escovedo, an adolescent medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s in Los Angeles, said in ⁤a recent virtual community conversation about the ⁢back-to-school season.

The American Psychological ​Association (APA) recommends the following strategies to keep kids safe:

1. Limit Screen Time

Limit social media by utilizing available screen time settings so ‌kids and teens learn self-control. Lack of self-control can lead to addiction. Brain​ specialists have shown that acquiring likes, ​engaging ⁣with people, and ‍temporarily ⁤escaping reality trigger the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine, the‍ same neurotransmitter released with other⁤ addictions​ like​ eating and gambling.

2019 data from⁤ the research firm Statista show that 40 percent⁣ of U.S. online users aged 18 to 22 reported feeling addicted to social media, with 5⁣ percent of ‍respondents describing themselves as⁣ being “completely”⁢ addicted.

2. Ensure Kids Get Enough Sleep

Prohibit ‍screen time that ⁣interferes with at least eight hours of⁢ sleep.

According to the National ‌Institutes of Health ‍ (NIH), a lack of z’s impairs a child’s neurodevelopment, increases impulsivity, and‌ leads to ⁢aggressive‍ behavior and thinking problems. Insufficient sleep is also associated with an increased risk for chronic conditions⁤ such‍ as diabetes ⁢and ⁤obesity.

3. Watch for Concerning Behavior

Be on ⁢the​ lookout for‌ behaviors that escalate to the ‌point where:

• They ⁤interfere with the child’s ⁤daily routines ‌and commitments, such as ‌school, work, friendships, and extracurricular activities.
• The child‌ often chooses social media over in-person social interactions.
• The child cannot g