Social media is constantly changing and evolving; its hard to keep up as a parent! We also know teens are resourceful, so does it really make a difference if we intervene in our teenager’s choice of social media?
Yes, there are social media outlets that clearly we don’t want our teenagers on or to be using. However, what about the more popular apps that every teen has? How can you monitor or even limit these?
I understand that in another 2-3 years these social media channels are going to be different, but I want to point out to you, the parent, what your teenager is using today (2020) and as an eating disorder dietitian, how I have seen these apps cause unseen damage to your teen.
Youtube
Although you may not see youtube as something teens can “get addicted to,” there is a massive following on youtube for teens and pre-teens. We call the individuals posting videos, “youtube influencers” and they create a series of videos to build a following. Now I am a dietitian, so I am in the food and nutrition space. What my teen and pre-teen clients tell me about youtube is they learn a lot from the influencers in terms of what and how to eat. Keep in mind, these “influencers” are mostly under the age of 25 and very few actually have a degree or study nutrition and fitness. Your teen and pre-teen are learning how to eat and nourish their body from another teen who is not a professional. This is dangerous if you ask me. These videos are often short and the influencers often have thin privilege (see blog about thin privilege here), and seem to be the epitome of health. As a dietitian working in the field of eating disorders, these youtube influencers are the ones that I, the masters-level nutrition expert, have to argue against to teach my clients that their body needs carbohydrates, that they are only 16 years old and their bodies are still growing so they cannot be on diets, and that its ok to eat fun foods like chips and cookies!
TikTok
Come on mom and dad, I know you’ve heard of TikTok. May even have one? TikTok came out late 2016 but has become wildly more popular in the recent couple of years. This is a video app that consists of short 20-30second videos with music. They can be really entertaining and funny, they can also be used to sell products or be informative. Now again, I am a dietitian working with teens on eating behaviors, so we focus on how these apps influence their food decisions and how they think about their bodies. Over the past two years, as TikTok has gained popularity among youth, I recognize the same trends I see with Youtube, although TikTok videos are shorter so their information is much more direct. Many TikTok influencers post “what I eat in a day” or talk about “good and bad foods.” In addition, we see a lot of the thin privilege, young females who use their petite pre-womanhood figures to sell their idea of healthy eating. My clients come to me and ask how so-and-so TikTok influencer can eat this way and look X way, but my client can’t.
This app has been around for a while now, and to its credit, Instagram (now owned by facebook) tries to maintain a less competitive and more accepting space. Instagram is an app for posting pictures and writing a short caption. It has become a place for small business to market, individuals to connect, and people to document their memories and experiences. For adults, Instagram can be a toxic place, but for teenagers it is much more competitive and toxic than you’d think. Not only is it a competition to get a certain number of “likes” or comments on your photo, but you want your Instagram page to have a pristine image- color-coordinated, mature, etc. I am so happy I was not a teenager in 2020 because it is IMPOSSIBLE to be accepted for who you are. You have to have an “image” and a “presence” or get ready to feel inadequate and defeated. Instagram, especially come spring break and summer, is full of swimsuit photos. Imagine scrolling on your phone for 5 minutes straight only to be looking at other people your age in bikinis and flawless figures.
Ok Mom and Dad, take a deep breath and let’s talk about what you can do to help.
My takeaway to you as a parent is your child is constantly surrounded by media messages on how to change their eating habits and how to change their body. It is possible for social media to be a positive space, but as a teenager this is a hard shift to make. Your teen may spend 2.5 – 10 hours per day on their screens and social media. You may be asking “how do you find 10 hours in the day to be on your phone?” I know, but I also have young family members who I know stay up late on their phones from 11-3am so I know they are capable of achieving at least 6 hours per day on social media. You’d be surprised!
Regardless, the takeaway here is not to limit or restrict, but to be aware of what your teen (or pre-teen) is viewing and how they are using this information to “change” themselves. Talk to your child if you notice they’re having a hard time or feeling inadequate or pressured. Do not forget the amount of time they spend on social media. Ever heard the saying “you become who your friends are?” Well, especially today with covid-19, people are not seeing their friends that much, but we are seeing social media every day for hours at a time.
Be aware. Talk to your kids. If it is becoming a problem, encourage therapy so your child has someone to talk to about this immense pressure they feel from society. At Bamboo Nutrition in Columbia, MO, we work with children and pre-teens on recognizing the dangers of diet culture and helping them to understand the purpose of nutrition and how to nourish their body in a way that supports adequate growth and development and helps them feel strong and energized. If your teen is struggling in their relationship with food, they would benefit from talking to a dietitian with expertise in eating disorders.