Online Technology Use for Children

The MCG Pediatric Podcast

We are living in a technology saturated world as we rely on smart devices for virtual learning, entertainment, completing work, and connecting with others. But how much is too much for our children? What are risks and benefits of technology use for children? And what is the pediatrician’s role in helping to educate their patients and parents?

Join Dr. Jacob Eichenberger and Dr. Kathryn Peralta as they discuss the impact of technology use on children and how pediatricians can counsel families on appropriate use to ensure healthy development and wellbeing.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the epidemiology of screen media use in children and adolescents
• Identify age-appropriate types and duration of use for various technology
• Discuss risk factors for excessive or problematic use in children and what physical and emotional outcomes may be associated with excessive media use.
• Discuss impact of social media, cyberbullying, and risks of exploitation of children from technology use.
• Identify benefits of screen media as well as tips to help parents navigate this complex topic

Peer Reviewers: Dr. Rebecca Yang, Dr. Zachary Hodges

Free CME Credit: https://mcg.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=8632

References:

1. Rideout, V., & Robb, M. B. (2020). The Common Sense census: Media use by kids age zero to eight, 2020. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media.
2. Rideout, V., and Robb, M. B. (2019). The Common Sense census: Media use by tweens and teens, 2019. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media.
3. Rideout, V., Foehr, U., Roberts, D., GENERATION M2 Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds. A Kaiser Family Foundation Study JANUARY 2010.
4. Reid Chassiakos Y, Radesky J, Christakis D, et , AAP COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA. Children and Adolescents and Digital Media. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5):e20162593
5. Hoge, E., Bickham, D., Cantor, J. Digital Media, Anxiety, and Depression in Children. Pediatrics Volume 140, number s2, November 2017:e20161758
6. AAP COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA. Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5):e20162591
7. Radesky J, Chassiakos Y, LR, Ameenuddin N, et al. AAP COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATION AND Digital Advertising to Children. Pediatrics. 2020;146(1):e20201681
8. Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. (2012, January). Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/topics/PS_technology_WEB.pdf
9. Jennifer S. Saul, Rachel F. Rodgers, Adolescent Eating Disorder Risk and the Online World, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Volume 27, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 221-228,
10. Jasmine Fardouly, Lenny R. Vartanian, Social Media and Body Image Concerns: Current Research and Future Directions, Current Opinion in Psychology, Volume 9, 2016, Pages 1-5
11. Saunders, J., and Eaton, A. Snaps, Selfies, and Shares: How Three Popular Social Media Platforms Contribute to the Sociocultural Model of Disordered Eating Among Young Women. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, AND SOCIAL NETWORKING Volume 21, Number 6, 2018
12. Hill, D. Social Media: Anticipatory Guidance. Pediatrics In Review Volume 41, Number 3. March 2020 Pages 112-117.
13. D’Angelo, J; Moreno, M. Screening for Problematic Internet Use. PEDIATRICS Volume 145, number s2, May 2020:e20192056F
14. Steinberg, S. Sharenting: Children’s Privacy in the Age of Social Media. University of Florida Levin College of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series Paper No. 16-41
15. Richdel, M. (2021, January 16). Children’s Screen Time Has Soared in the Pandemic, Alarming Parents and Researchers. The New York Times.
16. Haelle, T. (2016, October 28). Do Parents Invade Children's Privacy When They Post Photos Online? NPR
17. Maheshwari, S. (2017, November 4). On YouTube Kids, Startling Videos Slip Past Filters. The New York Times
18. The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families. Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, Council on Communications and Media. Pediatrics Apr 2011, 127 (4) 800-804; DOI:1542/peds.2011-0054
19. https://www.stopbullying.gov/. Accessed 6/19/21. Google

Resources For Providers

• Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID)at Boston Children’s Hospital
• Digital Wellness Lab (Contains Screening Tools and Anticipatory Guidance)
• https://digitalwellnesslab.org/cimaid/clinician-toolkit/
• Internet Addiction Assessment
• https://psychology-tools.com/test/internet-addiction-assessment
• Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) accessed from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2015.07.001

Resources for Parents

• Reviews of Digital Media. org
• Creating a Digital Media Plan: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Managing-Media-We-Need-a-Plan.aspx