Social Media, Adolescents, and the Role of the Pediatrician: Exploring Potential Benefits and Harms in Today's Digital Landscape

The use of technology among chil-dren, adolescents, and adults has in-creased dramatically in the last 15 to 20 years. Along with the presence of tech-nology has come increased exposure and access to social media, particularly for adolescents and teenagers. Social media may include any form of electron-ic communication where users share in-formation and build communities; some examples of commonly used social me-dia sites include YouTube, TikTok, Snap -chat, Instagram, and Facebook. With the near-ubiquitous presence of smart -phones and tablets, most adolescents and teens are using devices and associ-ated social media sites. There are advan-tages and disadvantages to the use of social media, and pediatricians should be aware of potential risks as well as ways that social media use may be beneficial to teens. Communication with caregivers and patients about technology and social media use is an important piece of anticipatory guidance during health care visits, and there are multiple ways that pediatricians can facilitate healthy usage of social media with their patients.