Understanding Media’s Influence on Youth behaviour

Television, the internet, social media, and digital games are commonplace in all households with kids and teens spending an average of over 7 hours per day in front of a screen in today’s world. 

Tim Panagos, Clinical Lead at The Edge Crete looks at how parents must engage in active supervision to mitigate these risks, setting clear boundaries for internet usage, guiding children on responsible online behaviour, using parental controls, and encouraging offline activities to foster a balanced lifestyle.

Concerns of media influence in kids

1. Unhealthy Diet – children snack on unhealthy foods while glued to screens, influenced by advertisements for calorie-dense fast food. The continuous bombardment of such media messages leads to poor dietary habits, negatively affecting their growth, development, and overall health. Unhealthy eating patterns, fueled by media consumption, contribute to obesity and other related health issues in young people. 

2. Poor Social Skills – which develop when excessive screen time replaces in-person interactions, limiting children’s social engagement and communication abilities. Spending hours glued to screens hinders opportunities to interact with family and peers, leading to difficulties in communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution essential for healthy relationships. Children with high digital media consumption often face social anxiety and challenges in real-life social settings.

3. Sexuality – Children can become confused about healthy sexual behaviors as they are exposed to sexual content that is unrealistic and inappropriate for their age. Television, music videos, and online platforms often present distorted representations of sexuality, emphasizing casual sex, promiscuity, and sexual violence. This exposure can shape children’s attitudes toward sex and normalize risky sexual behaviors in both real life and media consumption.

4. Lack of Sleep – Children staying up late with screens disrupt their sleep cycles and overall well-being. Extended screen time before bed interferes with winding down and falling asleep, as blue light suppresses melatonin production. Chronic sleep deprivation impairs memory, concentration, and decision-making while increasing susceptibility to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Lack of restorative sleep hinders growth and immune function, making it challenging for children to perform academically, socially, and physically.

5. Attitudes, Values, and Behaviour – children are negatively influenced by the media’s portrayal of violence and harmful behaviors, leading them to view these as acceptable and adopt them. They may develop violent tendencies or see aggression as a way to resolve conflicts. Additionally, media influences young people’s values by prioritizing materialism, body image, and social success over emotional well-being or personal growth.

When used appropriately and in moderation, digital media offer various opportunities to promote

Learning fosters creativity and promotes social and emotional well-being. Children benefit from educational resources, like interactive apps and games that teach skills, stimulate problem-solving, and improve cognitive functions. Digital platforms offer self-expression and identity exploration, crucial during adolescence. Media helps children connect with peers, learn about health, and gain exposure to diverse cultures. However, the digital world can negatively affect our children’s development, such as:

• Addiction to Online Games: Overuse of online games leads to gaming addiction, disrupting sleep patterns and social interactions.
• Mental Health Issues: Excessive internet use has been linked to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem when children compare themselves to unrealistic online personas.
• Reduced Physical Activity: Spending too much time on digital devices leads to sedentary behavior, contributing to obesity and other health issues.
• Cyberbullying: Kids are exposed to bullying and harassment online, which severely affects their mental health and self-esteem.
• Social Isolation: Excessive screen time limits face-to-face interactions, hindering the development of social skills and leading to isolation.
• Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Children encounter harmful or explicit content that affects their psychological development without proper monitoring.
• Sleep Disruptions: Overusing the internet before bedtime interferes with sleep, leading to fatigue and emotional distress.

Tim comments: ”The importance of supervision by parents or adults is indisputable, although the media has several benefits. Ensuring a safe and balanced media environment helps children use media responsibly and avoids potential risks associated with excessive screen time or exposure to inappropriate content.

Children and adolescents, who are developing, face greater risks when exposed to inappropriate content, excessive screen time, or distorted societal standards. The importance of supervision in guiding younger generations on responsible media use has never been more evident”.

How does Social Media Affect Children’s Behaviour?

Social media significantly impacts children’s and teenagers’ behavior, shaping how they think, feel, and interact. The exposure to curated images creates unrealistic expectations, leading to negative feelings about their bodies and lives, resulting in lower self-esteem and increased social anxiety. Additionally, the indirect nature of online communication hinders the development of critical social skills necessary for healthy interactions.

The impact of social media exacerbates feelings of isolation, despite the connections it offers. Children and teens become overly focused on digital interactions, leading to a decline in face-to-face social skills. The need for validation and pressure to maintain a perfect online persona fuel feelings of inadequacy and contribute to anxiety and depression.

Cyberbullying and social comparison intensify these effects, with teens engaging in hurtful online behaviors. Continuous exposure to negative content or feeling ignored on social media leads to emotional depletion and stress, making it harder for children to disconnect and recharge.

The Most Addictive Social Media Platforms:

• Facebook: With over 3 billion active users, the platform’s algorithm delivers personalized content, keeping users engaged. This addiction arises from a constant stream of notifications and the need to stay connected with loved ones. Features like “likes,” comments, and shares foster a cycle of validation, encouraging users to return frequently. Its influence on teenagers is significant, with many checking their feeds multiple times a day.
• TikTok: The algorithm effectively suggests personalized content, leading to prolonged scrolling sessions. The “For You” page provides an endless stream of tailored videos, making it hard to stop watching. Trending challenges and quick, bite-sized videos create a dopamine loop, fostering addiction among users, predominantly Gen Z and young Millennials.
• Instagram: Instagram’s “likes,” comments, and followers foster a sense of validation and approval. The pursuit of social comparison, whether through curated posts or stories, contributes to addictive behaviors. The Instagram influence on teenagers is profound, with teens constantly seeking approval through likes and comments. 
• YouTube: YouTube is highly addictive due to its diverse content, ease of access, and the “recommended videos” feature. Its algorithm suggests videos based on past viewing habits, keeping users engaged for hours and leading them into a rabbit hole of personalized content. The rise of “YouTubers” can also foster addiction among youngsters.

8 Steps for Parents on How to Minimise the Negative Effects of Media on Youth

Step 1 – Promote Media Literacy. Teach youth how to analyze content on social media and other online platforms critically. Help them understand how algorithms work, the impact of “likes,” and how to identify beneficial and harmful content. Making informed decisions empowers youth and minimizes negative influences.

Step 2 – Set Screen Time Limits. Establish clear boundaries around daily time spent on social media and other screens. Limit screen time using device settings or apps, and encourage a balance between online and offline activities. Ensure these limits are age-appropriate and evolve as the child grows.

Step 3 – Encourage Open Communication. Foster an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences. Encourage regular conversations about their social media use, the people they interact with, and any challenges they encounter. Creating understanding and trust allows parents to intervene early if needed.

Step 4 – Monitor Content. Actively monitor a child’s exposure to social media content. Use parental controls and regularly check their online activity in early adolescence. Ensure privacy is protected and avoid explicit content or inappropriate interactions.

Step 5 – Address Cyberbullying and Online Safety. Educate children about the dangers of cyberbullying and teach them how to protect themselves online. Ensure they understand the importance of reporting bullying and inappropriate behavior online and maintaining online privacy and security.

Step 6 – Foster Offline Activities. Encourage participation in offline activities such as sports, arts, hobbies, or family time. Activities provide a break from screen time and encourage social skills and physical well-being, helping to create a healthy balance in a child’s daily life.

Step 7 – Promote Positive Media Use. Guide children to use social media and other platforms positively and healthily. Encourage them to follow accounts that promote mental health, education, creativity, and healthy lifestyles. Fostering positive media habits helps reduce the risk of adverse impacts such as anxiety or low self-esteem.

Step 8 – Be a Role Model. Lead by example when it comes to media use. Set boundaries for screen time and model healthy habits, such as mindful phone use. Children follow an adult’s lead if they see them practicing responsible media habits.

Signs when Professional Interventions are needed.

• Loss of Control Over Screen Time: Children who have difficulty limiting their screen time despite repeated attempts, or who consistently exceed their self-imposed limits, are suffering from addiction.
• Neglect of Basic Needs: Prioritizing screen time over essential activities such as eating, sleeping, or personal hygiene indicates problematic excessive media use.
• Decline in Academic Performance: A child whose school performance is affected due to a lack of focus or too much media consumption needs professional help to address underlying behavioral or psychological issues.
• Social Withdrawal: A noticeable decline in social interactions with family members, peers, or a general withdrawal from extracurricular activities is a common sign of media addiction. The isolation leads to diminished social skills and affects the child’s mental health.
• Mood Swings or Emotional Changes: Extreme mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression linked to a child’s media use, such as becoming upset or distressed when screens are taken away, indicate the need for professional treatment. The behavior is indicative of emotional dependence on screens.
• Risky or Inappropriate Behavior: Engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as sharing inappropriate content, communicating with strangers online, or neglecting safety in favor of screen time, is a serious sign that intervention is necessary to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.

Occasional usage of screens is normal but when it extends beyond typical use and leads to behavioral, emotional, and physical consequences it might be time to seek external help.

Consider professional treatment if any signs persist for weeks or months, or if a parent feels overwhelmed by managing their child’s media use. Seeking help from a mental health professional or counselor assists in addressing the underlying causes of media addiction, improving family dynamics, and supporting the child’s overall mental health.