Listen to the Children
THE NEED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA & DEVICE ADDICTION ON CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH.
A group of students who have completed the Brainable program gathered this past summer not just to reconnect but to engage in a meaningful discussion on a topic that has become increasingly relevant in their lives: the impact of excessive social media use and device addiction on mental health.
Brainable, a Women’s Brain Health Initiative student program, focuses on The Brain Boosters (the Six Pillars of Brain Health: Exercise, Mental Stimulation, Nutrition, Sleep, Social Activity, and Stress Management), underscoring the fundamental principle that healthy children become healthy adults.
Children also learn about The Brain Busters – the conditions and behaviours that harm brain health, including concussion, untreated mental illness, excessive social media, substance abuse, trauma, and dementia.
By June 2024, Brainable had reached more than 20,000 grade five to eight students (ten- to 14-year-olds) in 743 presentations across 14 Ontario school boards since its launch in 2021.
In April 2024, WBHI released findings from an analysis of exit slip surveys from nearly 5,000 students who took the Brainable program. Queen’s University professors Dr. Heidi Cramm and Dr. Erna Snelgrove-Clarke conducted the research as part of the classroom education program.
Unfortunately, the results expose troubling linkages between children’s excess social media use and sleep deprivation.
According to Dr. Cramm, PhD, OT Reg (Ont), “Screen time use, disrupted sleep, and reduced physical activity seem to be very enmeshed for students, even by grade five. By grade eight, students indicate an intention to change behaviours on multiple fronts, underscoring the complexity of the challenges they face. Awareness and education are critical in upstream approaches to promoting brain health.”
Despite being aware of the imperative to cut down on screen time and prioritize restorative sleep, an overwhelming number of students are finding themselves trapped in a relentless cycle they struggle to break. The situation is urgent and critical.
For children in particular, chronic sleep loss can have profound consequences on regulating emotions, decision-making, controlling behaviour, and being less resilient to stress.
Jade Crystal, Brainable’s Program Director, passionately emphasized the importance of bringing the students together, adding their voices to the conversation. While we often hear about the impact from parents and teachers, she stressed that it’s crucial to listen directly to the children – to understand the true effect on their lives and understand what they believe would help them reduce the grip of social media addiction.
“After spending hundreds of hours in the classroom with students through the Brainable program, I’ve witnessed first-hand the harmful impact of device addiction, especially social media, on their lives.”
“Children’s voices were overlooked in this conversation, and it was time to bring them to the forefront.”
Brainable has provided these students with a unique lens through which to examine their relationship with technology. This summer gathering was an opportunity for them to reflect on their experiences and share insights on how social media and device addiction have influenced their mental well-being.
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE
The rise of social media has revolutionized how we communicate, share information, and connect with others. However, this digital transformation has also brought challenges, particularly for young people who are more susceptible to the allure of constant online engagement.
Many students report feeling the pressure to maintain a certain online persona, the anxiety of missing out (FOMO), and the negative impact of comparing themselves to others on social media platforms.
Device addiction exacerbates these issues. The constant notifications, endless scrolling, and the fear of disconnecting can lead to a vicious cycle where students spend more time on their devices at the expense of real-life interactions, physical activities, and, most importantly, sleep. This addiction can contribute to feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety, creating a significant strain on mental health.
During the summer discussion, students were encouraged to reflect on their personal experiences with social media and device use. Many shared stories of how their mood and self-esteem were influenced by what they saw online, and how the constant need to check their devices interfered with their ability to focus on schoolwork, hobbies, and face-to-face relationships.
These discussions are not only therapeutic but also educational, as students learn from each other's experiences and strategies. By sharing their stories, they realize that they are not alone in their struggles, and they gain a sense of empowerment in taking control of their digital habits.
These discussions were eye-opening and set the stage for deeper exploration through a new open call for research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of social media and device addiction on children’s mental health.
NEW RESEARCH ACTION PLAN
Together with other like-minded organizations and philanthropists, Women’s Brain Health Initiative is committed to funding groundbreaking research that will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact social media and device addiction have on children's mental health. This research will provide data to help develop effective strategies to protect and support the well-being of future generations.
To help ensure the lifelong brain health of the children we nurture, on December 2, aligned with National Women’s Brain Health Day, Women’s Brain Health Initiative is dedicating its fundraising efforts to securing vital support for this important research.
If you believe in protecting our children’s brain health by understanding the effects of excessive social media and device addiction and discovering effective strategies to empower them in navigating the digital age with resilience and strength, your support can propel this vital research forward.
It’s easier to build strong children than fix broken adults.
Be Part of the Solution: Donate Now to Support Crucial Research
Curious to see highlights from the student discussion on social media and device addiction? Watch it here.
Source: Mind Over Matter V19