New insights from the U.S. Surgeon General: Is social media safe for students?
Back in January 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shared his opinion on student social media stating that, “13 is too young for children to be on social media.” He recommended that parents enforce a rule of not allowing their children to join social media until the age of 16.
Fast forward to mid-May 2023, when a new advisory was released in which Murthy says that there isn’t enough evidence to determine whether social media is “sufficiently safe” for students and identifies it as a risk factor for poor mental health. The advisory acknowledges the benefits of online communities and raises a variety of concerns when it comes to student social media use. It also highlights different ways policymakers, technology companies, parents/caregivers, students, and researchers can help move toward social media spaces that support good mental health in students.
We’ve explored this issue before and came to the conclusion that restricting students from social media completely is an unrealistic strategy that may set students up for failure in the future. Instead of trying to prevent social media use in students, we can equip students, parents, and educators with the skills and tools to encourage positive social media practices that foster student success, health, and happiness.
The U.S Surgeon General’s Advisory: Social Media and Youth Mental Health
An advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy was released in mid-May and describes current evidence on the impacts of social media on the mental health of students. Its main focus is on how social media may not be safe for students and the steps everyone can take to reduce the risk of harm to students.
95% of students ages 13-17 report using social media and despite age requirements typically being 13 years or older on most platforms, 40% of students ages 8-12 also report using various apps. Despite the large presence of students on social media, research on its impact on students is controversial. Social media can have both positive and negative effects on students’ mental health, and creating safe and healthy digital environments should be at the top of everyone’s priorities.
The advisory urges readers to take action and provides recommendations for various groups so that we can “maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of social media” on students.
- What policymakers can do: Collaborate with other organizations to strengthen protections, pursue policies that enforce age minimums, increase funding for future research, and support the implementation of digital literacy curricula in schools.
- What technology companies can do: Design safe online environments by conducting independent assessments, prioritizing user health and safety during the development process, and sharing relevant data with researchers and the public in a timely manner.
- What researchers can do: Help others to better understand the full impact of social media on mental health by informing others on the best social media policies, practices, and effective interventions.
- What parents/caregivers can do: Take steps to support students as they navigate social media by creating a family media plan, modeling responsible social media behavior, empowering students to use social media responsibly, and providing support if cyberbullying becomes an issue.
- What students can do: Adopt measures that can help in navigating social media such as reaching out for help if needed, creating boundaries to balance online and offline activities, being cautious about sharing information, and standing up against online harassment and abuse.
TSI’s Take
For students, we know that social media is simply being social – and it is in everything that we do, from texting to video games to educational technology. Social media is not going away, and we can expect it to continue to be a large part of students’ lives for years to come. With this reality, it’s more important than ever to help students build modern-day life skills that incorporate social media to fuel student health, happiness, and future success.
Why schools are incorporating modern skill-building to foster healthy social experiences:
- Foster connectivity: In today’s digital age, social media and technology have become powerful tools that enable students to maintain constant connections with their friends, regardless of physical distance. From lively group texts to maintaining Snapchat streaks, these platforms ensure that students are always updated on the latest happenings in their friends’ lives. A study by Pew Research Center found that 80% of teens say that what they see online makes them feel more connected to what is going on in their friends’ lives. (Source: Pew Research Center)
- Empower the classroom: The integration of technology into the classroom empowers students with essential skills and prepares them for life beyond the school environment. By utilizing technology, educators have the opportunity to promote vital soft skills and impart digital literacy. In fact, 80% of K-12 teachers who integrated social media into the classroom recognized its positive impact. (Source: The Journal)
- Enhance inclusion and confidence among teens: Social media platforms provide a unique space for students to discover, engage with, and contribute to online communities that align with their interests, passions, and ideas. Through these digital channels, students can feel a sense of inclusion and develop confidence in expressing their authentic selves. Research indicates teens are more likely to say social media makes them feel more included and confident rather than excluded or insecure. (Source: Pew Research Center)
- Expand perspectives and opportunities for the future: Long gone are the days of traditional job applications, as social media is revolutionizing the way we apply for and find jobs. Nearly half of Gen Z and Millenials with work experience have applied to jobs they found via social media. In fact, our Founder and CEO, Laura Tierney, found most of her jobs via social media! (Source: PR News Wire)
- Increase access to digital resources: As the digital landscape continues to shape our lives, the need to manage digital distractions and prioritize our well-being becomes increasingly important. In one study by McKinsey, more than one in four respondents reported using digital wellness apps. Here are some apps we recommend to manage digital distractions! (Source: McKinsey)
Tech is evolving so quickly that adults are challenged to keep up, and the daily lives of students are changing rapidly too as trends and apps evolve. When we view social media and tech as a tool for learning, collaboration, and personal growth, we can then foster a proactive approach that emphasizes responsible and safe social interactions.
There are many methods when it comes to developing and maintaining a positive social media space, but at The Social Institute, we abide by Seven Social Standards: Play to Your Core, Protect Your Privacy Like You’re Famous, Strike a Balance, Cyberback, Find Your Influencers, Use Your Mic For Good, and Handle the Pressure. Our standards are different from rules— they aren’t just a way to behave on social media, but a way to live. Share these Seven Social Standards with your students so you can set them up for success online and offline.
If you’re interested in exploring our Seven Social Standards and the lessons that go with them with your students, contact us today!
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.