By Travis Satnarine, MD & Taylor Rosenbaum, MD, MA, InjuryFreeMiami.org

By now, we all know how widespread social media and the digital world are in the lives of children and youth. Parents can often be overwhelmed when trying to make sure their kids are participating safely and appropriately.

Too much screen time affects children’s physical and mental health. It is easy to spend a lot of time on social media. Too much use can cause:

• Eyesight Problems: Staring at a screen for a long time can cause eye strain. Symptoms include dry eyes, headaches, and blurry vision. Taking regular breaks can help lower these issues.
• Obesity: People are usually not active during screen time. Too much time sitting or lying down increases the risks of obesity. Try to encourage outside play. Limits on screen use helps to promote this.
• Sleep Disruption: Bright screens before bedtime disrupts sleep patterns. This can lessen the quality and time of rest. Poor sleep can lead to worsened moods and lower grades. Children and teens should have at least an hour of screen-free time before bed.
• Social Isolation: Too much screen time can take away from spending time with friends and family. This can worsen emotional development and social skills.

Tips for Promoting Social Media Safety

For Young Children (5–12 Years Old):

• Introduce age-appropriate sites. Examples include YouTube Kids or Messenger Kids.
• Use parental controls. Parents can monitor their children’s use and timing.
• Talk with kids about their internet use. Ask them to report anything that makes them uncomfortable.

For Teenagers (13–18 Years Old):

• Talk about the risks of sharing information. Posts online can last forever.
• Help set boundaries. These include social media time limits.
• Teach about signs of wrong information.

For All Age Groups:

• Create a family social media plan. Include rules on screen time, content restrictions, and safety.
• Set screen-free places and times. Examples include meals or one hour before bed.
• Encourage outdoor play, hobbies, and spending time with family.

For more information about how to keep your child safe online, call the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a program of the Children’s Trust at 305-243-9080 or visit www.injuryfree.org.