Research on Social Media Use and Children

       When examining topics related to new media, new literacies, and participatory culture there are many issues that piqued my interest. I typically look for issues that connect with my life either personal or professional. Both have children, education, and technology heavily involved. Not only have I cared for children for nearly 20 years and worked in the education field for 12 of them, but I am also a mother, so topics surrounding children are even more relatable and important to me. When researching these subjects I found many sources about social media and children. While social media platforms offer educational and social benefits, they pose significant risks to children's mental health, development, and online safety, requiring proactive measures from parents, educators, and policymakers to mitigate these risks and ensure a balanced, healthy digital experience. 

Delving into the topic of children and social media has several practical applications for educators. When I gain a deeper understanding of this issue I can create a more supportive, safe, and enriching environment for students both inside and outside the classroom. By understanding the effects of social media on children, educators can not only protect students from its negative impacts but also empower them to use these platforms in a constructive and positive way. Through education on digital literacy, mental health, online safety, and ethical practices, I can help students navigate the digital world more effectively, fostering responsible, critical, and creative social media use. I can also utilize my knowledge to help educate parents. 

Some resources I am exploring to better my understanding on social media use by children are as follows:

Bozzola, E., Spina, G., Agostiniani, R., Barni, S., Russo, R., Scarpato, E., Mauro, A. D.,Antonella Vita, D. S., Caruso, C., Corsello, G., & Staiano, A. (2022). The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 9960. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169960

This article addresses the risks associated with children and adolescents' online activities and how crucial it is to raise public and medical awareness. The authors explain how pediatricians should screen for media exposure during check-ups, recognizing its potential links to mental health issues, obesity, sleep disorders, cyber bullying, and other concerns. Pediatricians can guide parents on managing content, promoting healthy habits, and preventing harmful digital behaviors. The article discusses that families should be educated on setting rules for media use, while digital platform developers should create tools to support safe, healthy interactions. 

Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Beltrán-Velasco, A. I., Herrero-Roldán, S., Rodriguez-Besteiro, S., Martínez-Guardado, I., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Tornero-Aguilera, J. F. (2024). Digital Device Usage and Childhood Cognitive Development: Exploring Effects on Cognitive Abilities.Children, 11(11). http://dx.doi.org.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/children11111299

This resource examines the complex relationship between digital device usage and cognitive development in children, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts. While digital devices can enhance cognitive abilities such as executive function, learning engagement, and creativity, excessive or improper use can lead to challenges like attention issues, sleep disturbances, and social isolation. The narrative underscores the importance of factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status in influencing these outcomes, and emphasizes the critical role of parental involvement and quality interactions in mediating effects. Ultimately, the authors call for further research to fully understand the long-term consequences and to guide the responsible integration of technology in children's lives.

Martin, F., Wang, C., Petty, T., Wang, W., & Wilkins, P. (2018). Middle School Students' Social Media Use. Educational Technology & Society, 21(1), 213+. https://link-gale.com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A524180841/AONE?u=esc&sid=bookmarkAONE&xid=b7d218dd

This article examined technology and cyber learning becoming increasingly integrated into students' lives, and concerns about their safety in the digital realm growing. It discusses how social media use offers both benefits and risks for teenagers. On one hand, platforms like Facebook provide opportunities for collaboration, learning, and civic engagement. On the other hand, social media use has been linked to negative outcomes such as depression, social isolation, and exposure to inappropriate content, with some studies indicating that certain risky online behaviors, such as sharing personal information and engaging with strangers, can put youth at risk. Additionally, incidents of cyber bullying and harassment are prevalent, with some studies showing significant distress and potential for severe consequences, including suicide. While social media can have a positive influence by providing support and resources, it also highlights the need for careful monitoring and guidance to protect students from the negative impacts of digital engagement.

Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T. S., Rao, N., Leung, C., Hui, A. N. N., Tso, W. W. Y., Fu, K.-W., Jiang, F.,  Zhao, J., & Ip, P. (2020). Parent technology use, parent–child interaction, child screen time, and child psychosocial problems among disadvantaged families. The Journal of Pediatrics, 226, 258–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.006 

This study explored how parents' problematic mobile technology use affects young children's screen time and psychosocial issues in a cohort of families from a low-SES background in Hong Kong. It found that parents' distractions by mobile devices during interactions with children led to increased screen time for children and contributed to psychosocial problems, particularly externalizing behaviors. The study highlighted that children's screen use behavior could be modeled after their parents' behavior, supporting social cognitive theory. Additionally, parents' technology overuse, especially in the presence of children, was linked to less parent-child interaction, which affected children's emotional development and led to more behavioral issues. Technological distractions during parenting and increased child screen time were significant factors in the relationship between parental technology use and children's difficulties. Although the study suggests that limiting screen time and improving parent-child interaction may reduce these problems, it also notes that its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data present limitations. The findings emphasize the need for parents to be mindful of their device use, especially in front of their children, and encourage further research into family-level media practices and their impact on child development.

Zhao, Y., Lu, J., Woodcock, S., & Ren, Y. (2022). Social Media Web 2.0 Tools Adoption in Language and Literacy Development in Early Years: A Scoping Review. Children, 9(12).            http://dx.doi.org.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/children9121901

This resource examined the impact of social media integration on young children's language and literacy skills, with some positive effects found in areas like alphabet knowledge, vocabulary, speaking fluency, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Social media also improved student attitudes towards writing, engagement, confidence in creative writing, and motivation. However, more research is needed to establish the effectiveness of these practices, as current studies are inconsistent and lack rigorous evaluation. The review also indicated that teachers should develop indicators to assess progress when integrating social media tools into language instruction, and policymakers could create easy-to-use evaluation tools. While various social media tools exist, teachers should select tools based on their instructional purposes, possibly combining multiple tools or technologies. The article argued that social media integration can be implemented without requiring one device per child, which is beneficial for under-resourced areas and social media use in literacy instruction can improve parental involvement and school communication.