Dr. Hall Discusses Social Media
Joshua Hall, MD, Holzer Pediatrics, has been keeping a close eye on children’s connection to social media and how it affects their overall health. He states, “We live in an age where it is challenging to separate ourselves from our phone and computer screens. Technology has become more and more accessible over the past 25 years, and as a result, social media has become part of our culture. National studies estimate that teens, on average, spend 7-9 hours a day on computer/cell phone screens. Much of that time is spent on social media.”
According to research, “Social media use by minors has significantly increased and has been linked to depression. Simultaneously, age-adjusted suicide rates have steadily increased over the past decade in the United States with suicide being the second most common cause of death in youth.”
Dr. Hall has noticed the negative effects of social media use by children while on the job. “Anxiety is a common reason we see pre-teens and teens in the office. It is developmentally normal for children to start to value peer relationships over parental relationships during early adolescence. Social stress and peer pressure have always been a common source of anxiety for many middle school and high schoolers. However, the addition of social media has compounded the impact of social pressures when it comes to the mental health of young people. When I grew up, the bullying, name calling, comparisons, and fights ended when we left school. Now, because of cell phones and social media being so common, peer conflicts follow our children home. Social media allows children to constantly compare themselves to others. This can create a negative mindset that distorts one’s perception of life.”
Social media can be filled with a lot of inappropriate information, with many individuals and pages providing expertise without qualifications to discuss certain topics. “Topics can be connected to violent tendencies, sexual information, and corrupt worldviews. As a result, children can receive inaccurate and dangerous information and may interact with negative individuals,” says Dr. Hall. Research states, “Social networking sites provide a platform for ‘cyberbullying,’ which is an aggressive, intentional act, or behavior carried out by an individual or group using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend himself/herself. Cyberbullying is associated with higher levels of depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and attempts for both the victim and the perpetrator.”
In a world where social media is embedded, how does one properly manage these resources? Dr. Hall answers this, saying, “Many parents enforce rules and restrictions, limiting what their child can access and minimizing how long they can be on their phones. This method can set a good plan in place, allowing the child to not overindulge in social media. These restrictions also show the child there is more to do with their time than be on social media. Parents should feel empowered to make these decisions.”
Dr. Hall says, “Ohio recently had a big change to its cell phone policy, which entails that students are required to have their cell phones powered off during the school day, unless they have received special permission from a teacher or administrator to use them. Some school districts have noticed that kids enjoy being off their phone. There is a period of adjustment, no doubt, but ultimately, children are happy to escape the routine of being on their phone. Even though everyone has their own autonomy and can choose what they want to do, many people feel limited due to their addiction to being on phones. Once this addiction is addressed and corrected, many people feel a sense of freedom.”
It’s vital that parents find other ways to utilize time for themselves and their children. If a parent limits their child’s social media usage, they can find healthy alternatives to engage in. Dr. Hall says, “Parents can constantly tell their children to get off their devices. However, if a parent follows their own advice and puts their phone down, this can be a powerful gesture that speaks to the child, especially when it comes to limiting screen time. There are many healthy actions that can take the place of time spent on social media. Some examples of this are movie nights, family game nights, sports, photography, art, and involvement with local organizations. These options foster and strengthen family relationships.”
It is important to note that many social media outlets are good online tools if utilized in moderation and ensuring the channels are reliable sources. However, many people utilize social media as a coping mechanism or as an escape, and as a result, their focus towards other activities is nonexistent. Dr. Hall discusses the importance of spending time with others, saying, “Human connection is essential for our health and well-being. Social media provides a façade of connection that cannot compare to interpersonal relationships. I’ve always said that it’s good for children to get outside of their comfort zones. Talking to people and engaging in healthy activities, whether that be sports, the arts, Future Farmers of America (FFA), etc., provide many benefits, especially the ability to be comfortable as a communicator and problem solver. This builds mental toughness and allows children to cope with challenging situations. Sadly though, when you excessively use social media, that can be an excuse to not engage with people,” says Dr. Hall.
In closing, Dr. Hall is happy to serve the community and always willing to assist others. He says, “It is a pleasure to provide care at Holzer. I want the best for everyone, and I enjoy getting to know my patients. At Holzer, we pride ourselves in treating everyone like family.”
Dr. Hall is currently accepting patients at Holzer locations in Gallipolis, Jackson, and Meigs. For more information, or to make an appointment, visit www.holzer.org or call 1-855-4-HOLZER.
