LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) As kids return to school, two primary concerns have emerged for parents: the impact of social media and internet usage on their children’s lives.
A survey from the University of Michigan Health CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health reveals that over half of parents rank mental health issues as their top concern for their children and teenagers.
In this year’s list of the top ten parental worries regarding children’s health-related matters in the United States, mental health and technology use have taken precedence, surpassing childhood obesity, which was the primary concern a decade ago.
According to Dr Susan Woolford, co-director of Mott Poll and a paediatrician at Mott, “Parents still view problems directly impacting physical health, including unhealthy eating and obesity, as important children’s health issues. But these have been overtaken by concerns about mental health, social media, and screen time.”
Of all the concerns, excessive screen time and use of social media ranked highest, with two-thirds of parents expressing worries about their children’s extended device usage. These concerns were reflected in the results of the nationally representative poll.
Children’s growing exposure to digital devices and social media at younger ages has raised questions about appropriate monitoring to prevent potential negative effects on safety, self-esteem, social connections, and habits that may interfere with sleep and overall health.
The study also highlights parents’ persistent concern about their children’s mental health, with issues such as depression, suicide, stress, and anxiety topping the list.
Additionally, nearly half of parents expressed worry about inadequate access to mental health services.
While parents across different income groups share similar concerns about certain issues like unhealthy diets, obesity, healthcare costs, and a lack of mental health services, disparities arise in their perceptions of other concerns, potentially due to varying day-to-day experiences.
Woolford suggests that parents engage with schools, mentors, and healthcare providers to address ongoing and emerging health concerns in collaboration.
She emphasizes the importance of having open conversations with children and teenagers, encouraging them to share any physical and emotional concerns they may have.