Opinion | Why parents must grasp social media’s appeal to help their kids cope

If parents want their children to view them as valuable resources for their personal concerns, the best approach is to understand them and foster trust

Understanding social media’s attraction and the needs it fills will reveal the best ways to support children’s exploration as they develop their sense of self

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Widespread reports on the negative effects of social media use and excessive screen time among young people have led to calls for increased government regulation and parental involvement in their children’s online lives. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 5:30am, 18 Jan 2024

Social media is a factor in the mental health crisis many young people face today, and we are not doing enough to manage it. According to Statista, internet users in Hong Kong spent an average of more than six hours per day online in 2022, with almost two hours per day spent on social media.

The Education Bureau reported that year that cyberbullying cases in schools had nearly doubled, from 54 in 2017/18 to 105 in 2020/21.

Teens crave social connection and are at an age where they are shaping their own identities. They want ownership of their creativity, freedom to express themselves and, above all, validation from their peers. Social media becomes a platform for them to experiment, take risks and seek this validation.

Excessive use of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram has been linked to mental health issues including anxiety, depression, loneliness and low self-esteem. Social media’s perfectionistic nature can create unrealistic expectations and fuel fear of missing out, or “FOMO”.

As a counsellor, I once supported a 17-year-old client, M, whose parents noticed worrying changes in her behaviour. M’s increased social media usage preceded irritability, emotional outbursts, withdrawal from social activities and a decline in her self-image. Despite her parents’ efforts to engage and communicate, M’s struggles with social media caught them off guard.

I have noticed a troubling rise in similar cases among teenagers. As a parent, I am concerned about the impact social media will inevitably have on my 7-year-old son in the years to come.

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