Digital Parenting: Navigating the Impact of Technology on Children’s Self-Esteem

In today’s highly digitized world, children access social media and screen devices at a young age. While technology provides valuable exposure and knowledge, parents shouldn’t overlook its negative impact on their impressionable minds.

For instance, some impacts of technology on children’s self-esteem include social media comparison, addiction behavior, excessive screen time, and cyberbullying, all of which can damage how they view themselves. Not only that but there is so much more that they can be exposed to. Therefore, it’s critical for parents to actively promote technology regulation.

This article will outline practical strategies to assist parents in managing technology usage, setting clear boundaries, and educating children about the realities of social media. By utilizing the tips mentioned in this article, parents mitigate the negative impacts of technology and promote healthier self-esteem in children.

Understanding the impact of technology on self-esteem

Self-esteem can be broadly defined as a child’s sense of personal value and self-worth. According to Rosenberg’s self-esteem theory (1965), self-esteem is the overall positive or negative attitude one has toward oneself, which includes how one evaluates their own thoughts and feelings about themselves. These attitudes are impacted by external influences such as social interactions, feedback from others, and societal standards.

Stronger self-esteem is essential for children to excel in their personal, social, and academic lives. It is also important for mental well-being and a reduced likelihood of mental health difficulties.

The impact of technology on children’s self-esteem is a rising concern among parents. While technology itself doesn’t directly influence children’s self-esteem, various factors mediate its impact. The following section discusses the indirect impact of technology and the effects of social media on children’s self-esteem.

The role of screen time

When screen devices are used in a controlled and intentional manner, such as for educational purposes, communication, etc., they can have positive outcomes. For example, educational apps improve learning, video calls facilitate communication with distant loved ones, and entertainment platforms provide relaxation.

While the regulated usage of screen devices has positive outcomes, unregulated and impulsive usage has detrimental impacts.

For instance, time spent in front of screens limits opportunities for outdoor, physical activities and social interactions with friends and family members. An important study suggests that screen time is associated with poor academic and mental health outcomes and low self-esteem.

Importantly, children who spend hours engaging with others on social media may miss the chance of face-to-face interactions. Such interactions are important to feel a sense of belongingness. When these basic needs are unmet, children may feel socially isolated and experience poor self-confidence.

Read more: How to Build Self-Esteem in 3 Ways

Cyberbullying and its impacts

While social media is a great avenue for social interactions, its impacts on children’s self-esteem require immediate attention. For instance, children may experience cyberbullying, including harassment, humiliation, and social exclusion on social media. This can have severe negative consequences for children’s mental well-being and self-esteem. A study found that experiences of cyberbullying are positively associated with lower self-esteem.

Another dark side of social media is trolling and the meme culture. People write down the meanest comments on other people’s pictures, make memes out of them, and shame others in the name of fun. In some cases, children also get involved in such activities due to social pressure and the urge to take revenge on those who bully them.

This negativity can be extremely damaging to children’s self-esteem and destroy their self-confidence. Therefore, it is highly important for parents to monitor their children’s activities on social media and promote healthy interactions online.

The comparison trap

Social media platforms have become stages where people only show the perfect, happiest, and most adventurous aspects of their lives. It has become another common practice to post filtered and edited pictures from vacations, parties, picnics, and dine-outs to portray an idealized image. Constant exposure to such posts on social media encourages children to set unrealistic expectations and compare themselves with others.

While people only share the happiest and most positive bits of their lives on social media, children may perceive this as a reality. This faulty perception induces feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, as children feel that they are the only ones who do not have access to such luxuries. Ultimately, such comparisons damage children’s self-esteem.

Positive and negative feedback

In the age of social media, likes and comments on social media posts have become an essential source of validation and social approval. Children who get more likes and positive comments on social media feel valued and accepted in their social circle. Conversely, a negative comment or a few likes make children feel ignored, excluded, and inadequate.

Interestingly, positive feedback on social media can uplift children’s moods and reinforce a positive self-image. On the other hand, negative comments may induce self-doubt and anger and lead to a negative self-concept.

Strategies for mitigating negative impacts

In today’s digital age, children are increasingly exposed to the potential negative impacts of technology and social media. These influences affect their self-esteem, mental health, and overall well-being. The following section outlines practical strategies to mitigate the negative impact of social media and technology on children’s self-esteem.

Setting boundaries on screen time

Setting screen time boundaries is important for promoting healthy technology usage habits in children and protecting them from its negative impacts. Parents can consider the following strategies to screen time boundaries.

Educate your children. Explain the negative impacts of excessive screen time, such as poor academic outcomes, self-esteem issues, and an increased risk of physical and mental health issues.
Set tech-free time. Discourage the use of technology during meal times, family time, and at least an hour before bedtime. Children must stay in the moment.
Provide alternate options. Encourage screen-free time by providing children with activities and opportunities that do not involve screens, such as painting, outdoor sports, board games, and imaginative play.
Allocate specific slots. Set specific time slots for screen usage. For instance, you may let your child use a screen device for an hour twice daily. This structure helps manage screen time effectively.
Implement parental controls. Ensure that your child is exposed only to age-appropriate content. This helps protect them from harmful or unsuitable material. For example, parents can use parental control settings available on various devices, including iPhones and Android phones, to limit apps and content. They can also use screen time tracking features to monitor their children’s online activities.

Educating about social media realities

Social media is filled with crafty illusions and distorted realities, which, at their worst, can set unrealistic expectations and erode self-esteem. To guard their self-esteem, parents must educate children about the realities of social media. The following are a few practical strategies for educating children about social media.

Open discussions. Have open and honest conversations about social media. Tell them that people only share a small portion of their lives on social media, and nobody is as happy as he/she looks on Instagram. Every person has his/her fair share of struggles that don’t make it to social media.
Show examples. Use specific examples to demonstrate that social media is not real. For example, there are instances when models and social media influencers post raw and unfiltered pictures to communicate that the “perfect picture” the audience sees is not real. Parents may also show videos that compare social media to reality.
Establish comparison awareness. Emphasize the importance of not comparing themselves to others online. Explain that everyone has different experiences, strengths, and challenges and that comparing themselves to an edited highlight reel is neither fair nor productive.
Be a role model. Lead your children by example. Be mindful of your social media presence, avoid overediting your pictures to look perfect, and maintain a healthy balance between offline and online activities.

Encouraging positive online interactions

Encouraging children to engage in positive online activities can significantly boost their self-esteem while also reducing the risk of experiencing cyberbullying. Here are some tips for guiding them toward such activities:

Promote online engagement. Encourage your child to join online communities, groups, and forums that align with their personal interests, such as sports, movies, or science.
Follow educational and inspirational content. Encourage him/her to follow educational and sports channels, websites, and social media accounts that share insightful content. This type of learning will enhance their self-confidence.
Promote self-expression through social media. Motivate them to use social media as a medium for self-expression. For instance, they can post their music, writings, paintings, and photography. Help them find appropriate outlets for such content.
Teach digital awareness. Teach children the basics of digital literacy, such as how to identify reliable sources, distinguish between safe and unsafe online spaces, and understand how their online activities impact others and themselves.
Equip children with anti-cyberbullying skills. Teach your children how to block and report bullies, the importance of not responding to negative comments, and the importance of seeking support from trusted adults when they experience negative behavior online. Encourage open communication so they feel comfortable sharing any concerns or experiences of cyberbullying.

Developing offline skills and interests

Promoting children’s self-esteem requires striking a balance between online and offline activities. Engaging in sports, hobbies, and face-to-face interactions helps build confidence, develop social skills, and foster a healthy sense of self-esteem. These offline activities provide meaningful experiences that complement the digital world, ensuring well-rounded development.

In conclusion

The potential negative impacts of social media and technology on children’s self-esteem call for active parental involvement. Parents should regularly monitor their children’s online activities, engage in open discussions about their digital experiences, and educate them on the importance of maintaining a healthy online presence.

The practical strategies mentioned in this article, such as setting screen time boundaries, educating children, promoting positive online activities, and helping them develop offline skills, can be used by parents to protect children’s self-esteem in the digital age.

By following the practical tips in this article, parents can encourage healthy interactions with technology among children while protecting their self-esteem.

If you would like to see more resources on children’s self-esteem, check out the Parenting Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Parenting Science Labs today.

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Irum Aslam