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By Mary Fetzer<\/strong><\/p>\n In an advisory published in May, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned that social media can be harmful to <\/a>children<\/a>. But there’s an additional question: Are the potential risks of social media greater for kids who have ADHD?<\/p>\n ADHD Online posed this query to Dr. Ryan Sult\u00e1n<\/a>, a psychiatrist, researcher and therapist specializing in ADHD. An assistant professor of clinical psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, Dr. Sult\u00e1n’s expertise<\/a> lies in understanding how ADHD influences individuals \u2014 particularly children and adolescents \u2014 and how external factors interact with ADHD to shape their lives.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Surgeon General indicated that while social media can offer some benefits, it can also pose significant risks to the mental health and well-being of young people,” Dr. Sult\u00e1n says. \u201cThe concern here is the potential harm that social media can cause, considering that different children are affected in different ways by their exposure to social media.”<\/p>\n The benefits for teens and children offered by social media, according to the Surgeon General’s report, include the potential to build communities with others who share similar identities, abilities and interests. Social media also provides a way for young people to access valuable information and allows for self-expression. The report \u2014 titled the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health \u2014 points out that these benefits are particularly important for racial, ethnic, sexual and gender minorities.<\/p>\n The key findings of the report, however, involve the potential harm social media poses to young people.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot conclude social media is sufficiently safe for children and adolescents,” the report states, adding that social media presents a \u201cprofound risk of harm” to children.<\/p>\n The report highlighted two main areas of concern:<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes to children with ADHD, it appears that while social media use may not necessarily be harmful to typically developing children, it can be associated with a worsening of mental health in children who already have some mental health problems,” Dr. Sult\u00e1n says. \u201cThis is an area where more research is needed, but the preliminary findings are enough to warrant caution and concern.”<\/p>\n The types of use and content children and adolescents are exposed to pose mental health concerns, according to the Surgeon General’s report. Children and adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems, including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>\n The findings revealed that up to 95% of young people ages 13-17 report using a social media platform. Nearly two-thirds of teenagers report using social media every day, and one-third report using social media \u201calmost constantly.”<\/p>\n \u201cIn light of this advisory, I believe it’s crucial to consider the particular risks and implications for children with ADHD,” Dr. Sult\u00e1n says. \u201cThe relationship between screen time and ADHD is complex and multifaceted.”<\/p>\n According to Dr. Sult\u00e1n, researchers have suggested that excessive screen time can be harmful, especially when it interferes with other developmentally important activities such as studies, hobbies, physical activity and sleep.<\/p>\n Dr. Sult\u00e1n provides the example of a child with ADHD who is already struggling with impulse control.<\/p>\n \u201cThis child might find it more challenging to navigate social media, which is designed to be engaging and sometimes addictive,” he says. \u201cThey might be more likely to engage in excessive use, which could interfere with healthy activities.”<\/p>\n Dr. Sult\u00e1n says that ADHD symptoms may be further complicated by other mental health concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cPreliminary findings have associated excessive screen time and social media use with an increase in depression<\/a> and irritability in teens,” Dr. Sult\u00e1n says. \u201cWhile further research is needed to determine the magnitude of this association, initial studies indicate that the amount of social media use may be associated with an increase in depressive symptoms and unhappiness in teens.”<\/p>\n According to the Surgeon General’s report, some social media content is potentially more harmful than other content.<\/p>\n \u201cThe type of content consumed can play a role,” Dr. Sult\u00e1n says, \u201cwith some evidence suggesting that exposure to violent media can increase aggression in susceptible individuals, including those with ADHD.”<\/p>\n Dr. Sult\u00e1n adds that children with ADHD might also be more susceptible to the negative emotional impact of certain social media content, including cyberbullying or content that triggers feelings of inadequacy and depression.<\/p>\n But gaps exist in the full understanding of the mental health impacts posed by social media. More research is needed to understand which types of content are most harmful and what factors can protect young people from the negative effects of social media, experts say.<\/p>\n The Surgeon General’s report calls for \u201cengaging in a multifaceted effort to maximize the benefits and reduce the risk of harm posed by social media.” It outlines immediate actions that children and adolescents, parents, policymakers, researchers and technology companies can take.<\/p>\n And a webpage on the Surgeon General’s website offers guidance on how anyone can help “based on your role<\/a>.”<\/p>\nPotential Risks and Benefits of Social Media<\/h2>\n
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How Risks May Affect Children With ADHD<\/h2>\n
Some social media is more harmful than other social media<\/h2>\n
Mitigating the Risks of Harm to Children<\/h2>\n