A new report from the American Psychological Association (APA) gives parents of adolescents information that is often hard to find: an up-to-date, thorough list of recommendations for social media use.
Included in the APA's 10 recommendations are commonsense tips, like reasonably monitoring social media use, limiting time spent so that it doesn't interfere with sleep and exercise, and minimizing use for social comparison, particularly related to beauty- and appearance-related content.
iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop—$329.99(List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet—$178.99(List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case—$199.00(List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders)—$149.99(List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band)—$299.00(List Price $399.00)
The report also highlights the importance of regularly screening pre-teens and teens for "problematic" social media use as well as offering social media literacy training to help them develop skills like questioning the accuracy of content they see and understanding tactics for spreading misinformation.
Written by a panel of experts who focus on adolescent mental health, the recommendations are meant to reach policymakers, educators, mental health clinicians, technology companies, and teens, in addition to parents and caregivers.
SEE ALSO:How to get your kid into mindfulness"This is what needs to happen, from everyone, if we want to keep kids safe," Dr. Mitch Prinstein, a co-author of the guidelines and the APA's chief science officer, told Mashable.
The authors write that while social media isn't inherently good or bad, it can benefit or harm teens depending on how they use it — and how technology companies design their products. They caution that social media use should also reflect a teen's home environment and their maturity, including their intellectual and emotional development, and how well they can comprehend the risks.
While it's difficult to demonstrate a direct, causal link between screen use and negative mental health effects, the authors base their recommendations on studies that, with some limitations, suggest there is a connection.
Want more stories about social media and mental health in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletterstoday.
In particular, the recommendations focus on minimizing exposure to dangerous content, including content that depicts illegal behavior, self-harm, hurting others, and encouraging disordered eating. Similarly, teens shouldn't be exposed to "cyberhate," which includes online discrimination, prejudice, hate, or cyberbullying directed toward a marginalized group, because such content can increase risk for mental health problems, the report states.
SEE ALSO:'You're always on': Warnings from the front lines of the teen mental health crisisThe authors write that teens should be "trained to recognize online structural racism and critique racist messages" as an antidote against experiencing psychological distress after viewing traumatic race-related events online.
They also call for social media literacy training that "will maximize the chances for balanced, safe, and meaningful social media use."
"Just as we require young people to be trained in order to get a driver’s license, our youth need instruction in the safe and healthy use of social media," APA President Dr. Thema Bryant said in a statement.
Though the authors mention the role that product design choices like notifications and algorithms play in amplifying certain types of content and engagement, they do not take a position on regulating social media companies, as some critics and politicians have done.
But Prinstein, drawing on the report's broad recommendations, noted that companies could be tasked with re-designing their products specifically for developing brains, publishing their privacy policies in language that is accessible to teens, building social media literacy tools directly into their platforms, and more aggressively identifying and removing cyberhate.
TopicsSocial GoodSocial Media
(责任编辑：探索)
Carlos Beltran made a very interesting hair choice
Commentator reacting to Iceland's winning goal is what pure happiness sounds like
'VidCon's gone Hollywood': Movie studios, TV networks go where the teens are
Further proof that 'Game of Thrones' couple are made for each otherThis German startup wants to be your bank (without being a bank)Olympian celebrates by ordering an intimidating amount of McDonald's
It's no secret that Olympians have to eat clean for years to ensure they're at peak physical conditi
...[详细]Brexit: British researchers worried about brain drain
The state of science in the European Union has been thrown into uncertainty after the United Kingdom
...[详细]Torbjörn, the most controversial 'Overwatch' hero, is getting fixed
Overwatchhero Torbjörnwill be a little less deadly next month when his turrets get a30% reducti
...[详细]Astronaut in space snaps dramatic photo of the full moon caught in a sunset
NASA astronaut Jeff Williams captured an incredible photo of the full moon just above the horizon as
...[详细]Here's what 'Game of Thrones' actors get up to between takes
Warning: Contains some mild Season 6 spoilers right at the end (the video is spoiler-free).
。LONDON -
...[详细]Beyoncé made time in her busy schedule for a joke during the NBA Finals
Queen Bey is many things -- musically-gifted, fiercely talented, fashionable and even...funny.During
...[详细]Tumblr adds live video, but with a twist
Live video is coming to Tumblr! However, the social blogging service isn’t bringing out its ow
...[详细]Brexit: British researchers worried about brain drain
The state of science in the European Union has been thrown into uncertainty after the United Kingdom
...[详细]This weird squid looks like it has googly eyes, guys
Internet, meet your new spirit animal. 。Scientists aboard the research vessel the E/V Nautilus, off t
...[详细]'VidCon's gone Hollywood': Movie studios, TV networks go where the teens are
ANAHEIM, California -- After standing in line for 20 minutes, it was finally Aimee Evans' turn to ge
...[详细]The Weeknd teases new music in Instagram post
Astronaut in space snaps dramatic photo of the full moon caught in a sunset