Neurodiversity and social media 

22 Jan Neurodiversity and social media 

Researchers are now identifying multiple links between mental health and social media; with an average screen time for teens of 7.5 hours daily, most of us have already drawn these conclusions.

Moreover, questions remain as to whether ADD and ADHD lead to more social media engagement or whether social media engagement leads to more ADD and ADHD. The findings so far remain mixed.

From social approval, device addiction, cyberbullying, body dysmorphia, and even suicide, parents and carers are now struggling with protecting children from online harm. Carers are now concerned about the dangers outside the home and from inside their devices. The safeguarding debate ranges from criticism of parents not acting as good enough gatekeepers, governments not taking enough action to protect young people, or blaming social media companies for putting profit before people. For most carers with hectic lives producing a device to keep their kids entertained is tempting. What’s more, the demands from a generation that now plays out their social interactions, research and entertainment online means some carers are at a loss for how to manage this positive-negative tool.

For carers of children with ADD or ADHD, those choices can be even more demanding. There is increasing evidence that stimulating content along with clickbait, alerts, adverts, and notifications can affect the ability to stay focused; ADHD paralysis is a term used to describe the experience of an overwhelming overload of stimulation or emotions resulting in a shutdown. Researchers also report that neurodiverse people may be more vulnerable to the addictive nature of social media, sleep disorders and time management issues. With its reward hitting dopamine, using social media can see time disappear without recognition, making individuals more susceptible to dependency or addiction. Sleep patterns may also be affected, with some reports identifying teenagers even waking at night to check their phones.

For all its negativity, social media can also be an extremely positive experience. For those with social anxiety, social media can provide a forum that helps people connect in a comfortable environment. Since social media took hold, it has facilitated the introduction of many online forums and groups where people can share experiences and support one another. However, professionals warn that caution should be taken when using online platforms and groups, advising that social media is not the place for self-diagnosis.

So, what can you do to help your children have healthier online experiences if you are concerned?

• Empowering yourselves and your children to understand the dangers of social media provides the tools to build resilience, helping to manage what can be a challenging environment. At https://thelightbulblearners.com/, we give workshops to empower people with social media education. In addition, we can design individual seminars that specifically focus on individual needs.

The American Academy of paediatrics (APP) recommends that Children with developing brains should:

• Avoid fast-paced programs and apps with lots of distracting content.
• No screens 1 hour before bedtime, and remove devices from bedrooms before bed.
• For children ages six and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviours essential to health.

Social media, for some, can produce an exciting, educational and emotive environment. However, for the parent of a neurodiverse child understanding the unique effects social media may have on your child is essential.