[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20070817\/2024-06-Blog_The-dangerous-link-between-likes-followers-and-self-esteem_Hero.png” alt=”the link between social media and poor self esteem” title_text=”2024-06-Blog_The-dangerous-link-between-likes-followers-and-self-esteem_Hero” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Everywhere from the doctor\u2019s surgery to the morning commute, the world buries their nose in the bottomless scroll. Once a place where you could share with your close circle, social media has expanded to become an immense entertainment network. Everybody who is anybody now shares their thoughts, feelings, dramatic stories, and what they\u2019ve had for breakfast with a potential audience of millions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kids have always looked to their peers for validation and self-worth, especially teens and tweens<\/b>. But for the younger generations, the popularity contest that was once limited to the school canteen now has them going up against the whole world. As parents, we want to see our children thrive, flourish and be happy. How can we help them do this, when through their smartphone, nothing ever seems to be enough? <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kids have always cared about what others think about them, and trends that fixate on being \u201ccool\u201d were probably even around in the Stone Age. While we parents weren\u2019t around back then, we likely had our own experiences with Axe deodorant, blue eyeshadow, and shaving off our eyebrows, all in the name of beauty. The pressure to be popular can be hard enough on adolescents, but when the popularity contest moves from high school hallways to social media networks, it can be downright overwhelming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tweens and teens may become <\/span>stressed, anxious, and even depressed as they spend more and more time crafting their online identities<\/b> in order to gain favor from other social media users. And the longer we spend on social media, the more it affects our self-perception: <\/span>studies show<\/span><\/a> that increased time on social media negatively affects self-esteem, as does our likelihood to compare our physical appearance to others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Trends ebb and flow, and we\u2019ve all been caught up in their throes. So what\u2019s the difference now? Children are being exposed to social media much younger nowadays. Qustodio research shows that 41% of 10-12 year olds use TikTok, despite officially not being old enough to use the platform (TikTok is for users aged 13+ only).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Through social media, <\/span>young kids are exposed to almost <\/b>constant<\/b> advertising, surrounded by product recommendations, and the latest \u201cmust-have\u201d<\/b>, without even knowing that they\u2019re being marketed to. According to the International<\/span> University of Rioja <\/span>Digital Fit study<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>62% of 11-17 year-olds follow at least one influencer online. This age group also receives frequent advertising for products related to health, beauty, and skincare: 30% of the adverts reported by this age group were for cosmetics or beauty products.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The outcry of the older generations over the younger is nothing new. Now it is perhaps more widespread as we more easily share our furor and dismay online: concern surrounding so-called \u201cSephora Kids\u201d (tweens seeking out $80 skincare in the quest for a perfect complexion) glued to <\/span>GRWM videos on TikTok<\/span><\/a> is now a viral meme. Through social media itself, shock rippled across the parenting generations as they watched teen boys haul expensive cologne, dousing themselves in multiple (pricey) fragrances in a practice known online as <\/span>smellsmaxxing<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The cost of this influence for parents in the age of social media is greater than before, both on wallets \u2013 a $10 bottle of Axe is now being swapped out for a $200 perfume \u2013\u00a0 and their kids\u2019 mental health. The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued <\/span>an advisory<\/span><\/a> to American families in 2023, signaling that nearly half (46%) of teens stated social media made them feel worse about their body image<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_24HGBkfoj4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Research suggests<\/span><\/a> that teens often rely on online services for emotional support. The internet is constant, a companion that\u2019s always there for them to open, scroll, and enjoy. It\u2019s a space where kids can explore their interests, feel validated, and part of a larger community. Teens themselves report that it positively impacts them in many ways: <\/span>53% of children believe being online is good for their mental health<\/b>, and 38% assert it helps them to feel better about themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The problem with the trend of consulting the internet, as opposed to seeking out real-life connections, is two-fold. First, <\/span>social media has made it more challenging for parents to keep up with their kids\u2019 peer groups<\/b>, and secondly, it appears that online friendships can be even more influential than their real-life relationships, making <\/span>digital peer pressure<\/span><\/a> a real concern.<\/span><\/p>\n Children are more connected than ever before, and of course, this has some positives – learning new things, exploring interests, and being informed,\u00a0 among others. While this social connection is being boosted in the online realm, not so in real life. <\/span>Families and children everywhere are less supported<\/b>, with households becoming a small, close-knit community as opposed to whole neighborhoods. This can be very isolating, meaning kids don\u2019t know where to turn to when in need of help, and look for solace in devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20070715\/2024-06-Blog_The-dangerous-link-between-likes-followers-and-self-esteem_InsideImage.png” alt=”social media’s effect on self esteem” title_text=”2024-06-Blog_The-dangerous-link-between-likes-followers-and-self-esteem_InsideImage” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Concerns over social media\u2019s effect on your child\u2019s self-esteem are well-founded, but <\/span>there are some things you can do to foster a healthy self-image<\/a><\/b> despite this influence:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While your child\u2019s online presence is increasingly important in a world ruled by technology, forging offline relationships should be the priority, before social media<\/strong> casts its wide net over them. Wait until <\/span>your child is ready for social media<\/span><\/a>, instead of being guided by peer pressure, and support them as they navigate new territory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With loving, clear communication, healthy boundaries, and the right tools to look after their wellbeing<\/a>, your child\u2019s relationship with social media can help them discover new ways of self-expression, and contribute to their sense of self, rather than just taking away. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Everywhere from the doctor\u2019s surgery to the morning commute, the world buries their nose in the bottomless scroll. Once a place where you could share with your close circle, social media has expanded to become an immense entertainment network. Everybody who is anybody now shares their thoughts, feelings, dramatic stories, and what they\u2019ve had for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":64500,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Kids have always looked to their peers for validation and self-worth, especially teens and tweens. That\u2019s nothing new. But in today\u2019s social media-obsessed culture, it\u2019s easy for young people to become overly fixated on their online popularity. Instead of gauging their popularity by the number of friends they have in real life, adolescents are increasingly evaluating their social status and self-image by the number of people who follow them on Twitter or \u201clike\u201d their selfies on Instagram.\r\n\r\n\r\n### The Danger of An Online Popularity Contest\r\n\r\nThe pressure to be popular can be hard enough on adolescents, but when the popularity contest moves from high school hallways to social media networks, it can be downright overwhelming. Tweens and teens may become stressed, anxious, and even depressed as they spend more and more time crafting their online identities in order to gain favor from other social media users. Social media peer pressure can cause young people to post risqu\u00e9 pictures including revealing selfies and\/or party pics in an effort to be liked online. Unfortunately, this strategy often backfires and sometimes with devastating results<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\r\n### The Trouble With Online Friendships\r\n\r\nResearch suggests that teens are relying more on social media for emotional support than traditional sources of encouragement such as a face-to-face conversation or a phone call with a friend. The problem with this trend is two-fold. First, social media has made it more challenging for parents to keep up with their kids\u2019 peer groups, and secondly, it appears that online friendships can be even more influential than their real-life relationships, making digital peer pressure<\/a> a real concern.\r\n\r\n\r\n### What Can Parents Do?\r\n\r\nConcerns over social media\u2019s effect on your child\u2019s self-esteem are well-founded, but there are some things you can do to foster a healthy self-image despite this influence:\r\n\r\n- Provide plenty of opportunities for tweens and teens to interact with peers offline.\r\n- If your teen is posting selfies online, be sure she\u2019s practicing selfie safety<\/a>.\r\n- Teach the difference between superficial \u201cselfie-esteem\u201d and genuine self-esteem. Cultivate the latter.\r\n- Make sure your child knows what to do if she falls victim to cyberbullying.\r\n\r\nBecause so much of a kid\u2019s social life occurs online these days, it only makes sense for parents to keep track of social media activity. It\u2019s best to begin monitoring early, and if your child accuses you of spying, remind him that nothing online is private!","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSocial media\u2019s effect on self-esteem<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why are children being \u201cinfluenced\u201d so young?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Is being influenced such a bad thing?<\/b><\/h2>\n
The trouble with seeking solace online<\/b><\/h2>\n
What can parents do to help boost self-esteem?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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