Blog: Social media’s impact on teens and working parents
Dr. Donald Tavakoli shares how employers can play a role in supporting parents as they help their children manage social media and its effects.
By Dr. Donald Tavakoli, Behavioral Health National Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare
Social media takes a toll on teens and the families that support them. The evidence is unambiguous: Adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety, and 46% report that these platforms make them feel worse about their body image.1
The awareness is growing among teens themselves: 48% now say social media harms people their age, up from 32% just 3 years ago.2
The impact extends well beyond the individual adolescent. Among parents who are concerned about teen mental health, 44% identify social media as the single greatest contributing factor.3 Research confirms this concern is warranted: Parental depression and anxiety are each significantly associated with higher odds of excessive screen time in children,4 while preadolescents of highly distressed parents are over 50% more likely to spend extended time on social media.5 In other words, a child's mental health and a caregiver's well-being are deeply interconnected.
The good news is engagement can help. Active parental monitoring measurably reduces the impact of social media on teen depressive symptoms,6 and age-appropriate boundaries have demonstrated a preventive effect on problematic use.7Addressing this challenge requires a whole-family, whole-person approach — and we are committed to supporting both.
As a father, and a licensed and board-certified psychiatrist, I know that when employees’ kids are struggling with their mental health, body image or social experiences, it can have a major impact on the caregivers’ own health. This includes absenteeism and on-the-job distraction.
Finding a solution to this issue that’s plaguing many working parents and their children requires a coordinated approach. Offering robust behavioral health benefits is not just a feature — it may be a necessity. But it’s not enough just to offer those benefits; employees also must know how to access them and get the care that’s right for their teen’s severity level. That’s where 24/7 “in-the-moment” support can come in handy. Employees can call any day, time and place and get connected to a specialist that can help coordinate their teen’s care.
For instance, a behavioral health coaching program for youth and their caregivers may be helpful in addressing a variety of concerns, including social media overuse. The Calm Health app, which is available to kids and teens with parental consent, is an additional way we’re seeking to help families better manage their overall well-being.
3 practical tips for employers
- Educate teams: Conduct workshops or send out communications that aim to educate employees about the effects of social media on mental health, while also pointing out benefits able to help support their employees’ families, especially highlighting solutions for lower severity conditions.
- Promote healthy digital habits: Encourage employees to set their own boundaries on social media use during work hours and at home, such as conducting regular digital detoxes, modeling responsible social media behavior, fostering and encouraging in-person relationships, and leveraging digital well-being resources.
- Build a supportive environment: Foster a culture in which employees feel comfortable discussing mental health issues, whether through regular check-ins or more impromptu open and honest conversations.
Share
