Social media platforms have become a part of our daily routine, so parents wonder how many hours of these platforms is OK for kids.
Excessive tech usage can harm kids’ health, so talking about how many hours of social media kids should have is a must.
Without further ado, in this article, we’ll look at the effects of online platforms and discuss expert recommendations regarding screen time.
Recommended Daily Social Media Usage for Kids
The most credible source for daily social media usage recommendations is the American Academy of Pediatrics. They recommend that kids shouldn’t use screens for more than 2 hours daily.
But how to entertain kids without these platforms? Well, you can always try some fun tech-free activities. For example, you can limit your kids’ social media usage by engaging them in sports, arts, music, etc.
How Does Excessive Social Media Usage Affect Children?
Excessive screen time usage can cause addiction, which harms children’s mental and physical health.
Children will withdraw and isolate themselves from real-life interactions and develop low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
Moreover, studies have shown that excessive social media usage can cause sleeping problems. That can cause your child to feel deconcentrated, defocused, tired, and unwilling to study or work.
How to Determine the Optimal Daily Social Media Usage
Parents should look at many factors when determining their children’s optimal daily usage of these platforms. These factors include children’s age, maturity, cognitive abilities, and mental development.
Parents must constantly supervise their children’s screen time behavior and openly discuss rules and boundaries. Expert recommendations exist to be followed by parents and children. So, follow them!
How Can Parents Monitor Their Child’s Social Media Activities?
Technology offers many ways for parents to monitor their child’s screen time activities. The best way is by using parental control software.
Apps like Qustodio, mSpy, Norton Family, Panda Dome Family, and others give parents an insight into children’s online activities.
But I don’t advise you to eavesdrop on your children’s conversations with friends. Just monitor their screen time.
What Age Is Appropriate for Children to Start Using Social Media?
Most platforms don’t allow children under the age of 13 to create an account. But it mostly depends on your children’s maturity and awareness of online dangers.
If your children are reckless and irresponsible, you shouldn’t allow them to create a profile even after they turn 13.
Nonetheless, you must teach your children how to behave properly on social media, no matter how old they are when they create their first account.
Should Parents Limit Their Own Social Media Usage as Well?
Parents are children’s role models. Children copy whatever their parents do. So, set a family media plan. You can’t expect your children to have healthy screen time habits if you use the platforms all day.
When setting tech usage limits for your children, keep in mind that every family member should follow those limits.
You can always sneak in a few more hours after your kids go to bed, but limit your tech usage during the day.
Conclusion
Children tend to overuse social media. So, parents must balance their children’s technology usage with other activities. Be present, monitor your children’s online activities, and set healthy family rules and boundaries.
And don’t forget to take your children for a walk, to the playground, or the park. Life can be fun even without the Internet.
FAQ
How does social media impact children’s self-esteem?
These platforms can lower children’s self-esteem because children compare often compare themselves with seemingly perfect influencers and celebrities.
What signs indicate excessive social media usage?
Some signs that indicate excessive usage include avoiding real-life interaction, social isolation, sleeping and eating disorders, etc.
Are there any benefits to children using social media?
Children can freely embrace their creativity through these platforms and interact virtually with friends or relatives.
ALSO READ: Is it Bad for Kids to Avoid Social Media
