Doctor warns excessive social media use can have detrimental impact on kids’ health

Too much time on social media can impact children’s sleeping patterns, health and social skills, with a doctor describing networking platforms as a tool, “much like a knife”.

Sienna, 11, now limits how much time she spends on social media. Picture: Tony Gough

When discussing the dangers of excessive social media use to her clients, neurophysiologist Dr Ashleigh Moreland describes networking platforms as a tool, “much like a knife”.

“A knife can be used as a weapon and the same knife can be helpful in the kitchen,” she said.

“So social media is not the enemy and it can help people have healthy connections, educational opportunities, self-expression, a sense of belonging and community.”

But if used in harmful ways, the therapist and Re-MIND Institute founder said it can have detrimental effects on children’s sleeping patterns, health, social skills, attention span and brain development.

Mum Alana Joynes with her daughter Sienna Winter, 11. Picture: Tony Gough

It’s for reasons like these, mother-of-three Alana Joynes ensured she set clear boundaries when allowing her 11-year-old daughter Sienna to sign up to social media.

“When (Sienna) first started using (social media), there was a bit of overuse and we had to have conversations about not using it too much,” Ms Joynes said.

“She can now see it’s not good to be on it all the time … and is now using it for a business, and understands the difference between when it’s good and when it can be a waste of time.”

It comes as a ReachOut survey found a third of parents and carers said social media usage was a top issue of concern, while more than half said the networking platforms had “quite a bit” or “a lot” of impact on their young person’s wellbeing.

Dr Moreland said parents, schools and the government needed to lead by example by practising mindful technology use.

“(They need to) educate students about responsible online behaviour, the consequences of excessive social media use and how algorithms are developed to … capture as much of their attention as possible,” she said.