Roughly 18% of 8- to 12-year-olds and 62% of 13- 18-year-olds reported using social media sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord and Reddit every day in 2021. Among adolescents and young adults, an 90% use one or more social media platforms. You may wonder how social media may impact your child's mental health. Research suggests it depends on how they use it. Read on to learn more.| HealthyChildren.org
Deciding when to give your child their first phone can be tough for parents. Smartphones, in particular, offer a portal to the internet, apps and social media. You may not feel your child is ready for that much access to the digital world. Yet, you may want to get your child a phone for the basics: having a way to contact you when they’re traveling between school, after-school activities or different households. Here are tips to help you know if your child is ready.| HealthyChildren.org
In the case of children's exposure to violent media, the science clearly confirms what we already suspect: what children watch and play changes how they behave. Anything parents can do to reduce aggressive behavior is well worth the effort. Find more information and tips here.| HealthyChildren.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics discusses why video games are so appealing to kids and what parents can do to keep gaming from becoming an unhealthy habit.| HealthyChildren.org
In a new policy statement on the effects of digital advertising on children, the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights how in today’s digital landscape, marketing messages reach young people in less obvious but more direct ways.| HealthyChildren.org
Children gain communication and social skills through listening, talking, reading, singing, and playing with their parents—imporant interactions lost while you are on a smartphone. Learn more here.| HealthyChildren.org
media~The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains how your family can make a media use plan.| HealthyChildren.org
Use this Family Media Plan to create a personalized plan for how all kinds of media are used in your family. | HealthyChildren.org