Digital Smarts - Questions on Social Media Use Urged for Adolescent Health Screening
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As research consistently shows a clear impact that social media usage has on the psychosocial health of teens, researchers are suggesting to include social media use questions in standardized adolescent psychological screenings, according to a recent Pediatrics article. This will give pediatricians and other health care providers the opportunity to address concerning responses through the development of a family media plan, follow-up visits or behavioral health referrals. Questions researchers would like to see asked of adolescents include the following:
- Which social media sites and/or apps to you regularly use?
- How long do you spend on social media sites and/or applications in a typical day? (If the child answers more than 120 minutes per day, this would be a concerning response.)
- Do you think you use social media too much? (If they answer yes, ask if they have attempted to remedy it.)
- Does viewing social media increase or decrease your self-confidence?
- Have you personally experienced cyberbullying, sexting or an online user asking to have a sexual relation with you?