As part of its popular bi-weekly “Ask the Experts” virtual workshop series, on November 4th, 2020, Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development convened an esteemed panel of experts for a conversation about “Teens, Media, and Social Comparison.” Moderated by Dr. Mitch Prinstein, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, researchers, clinicians and parenting experts explored the role of social media in social comparison, popularity, and body image through dynamic presentations, thoughtful discussion, and a live Q&A. They also addressed how parents can prevent their children from falling prey to lower self-esteem due to unhealthy expectations promoted across social media platforms.

[2:00] Dr. Prinstein opens the workshop with an in-depth explanation of what social comparison is, how it is prompted by the media, and its potential mental health consequences. Prinstein emphasizes that, although social comparison is most commonly related to aesthetic appearance, it can also be due to status differences or participation in certain social activities. He highlights influencer culture as a perpetrator of idealized stereotypes and how such ideals often lead to depressive symptoms.

[17:26] Dr. Sophia Choukas-Bradley, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Delaware, draws on findings from her research regarding the impact of social media on body image. Choukas-Bradley discusses the prevalence of social media in young people’s lives and the need to feel “camera ready” at all times. Personal interactions can become public, and self-worth is now quantified by online metrics, such as likes or followers. She notes that social comparison is a natural human tendency, but it can be problematic in this era of social media use. For example, increased exposure to celebrities, influencers, or peers who fit society’s arbitrary beauty standards tends to decrease one’s self-esteem.

[34:04] Dr. Allison Chase, Regional Clinical Director at the Eating Recovery Center, discusses ways that parents and educators can combat social media’s potential negative health effects on children and adolescents. Chase begins by pointing out the warning signs to look for if one suspects a child’s mental health is being affected by media use. She suggests that, for parents, the best way to help a child is by listening to and validating their feelings. Genuine communication and understanding is key.

[47:58] Amanda Mozea, Education Outreach Manager at MEDIAGIRLS, dissects the social media standards of beauty, and how such standards transcend race to form a more homogenous, unrealistic standard of appearance. Mozea highlights the many positives of social media, urging parents to moderate children’s use rather than fully undermining it. To do this, Mozea suggests a combination of limiting screen time and using questions to allow for teens to more critically consume media. She shares anecdotal evidence of the pressures that social media can impart on a child, as well as the sense of loneliness that is a byproduct of overuse.

[1:03:32] Dr. Prinstein then opens up the panel to a live discussion with questions from the audience. Topics include: how social comparison can affect people of all ages and genders; the driving force behind idealized beauty showcased in the media; and, where parents should draw the line in surveillance of childrens’ media use. Panelists stress that, given the prominence of social media, digital literacy should be a subject taught in schools. They make suggestions about when and how such education should be introduced, and the role of the government in making that happen.

Moderator:

Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP
John Van Seters Distinguished Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Assistant Dean, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Co-Director, Winston Family Initiative on Technology and Adolescent Brain Development
http://mitch.web.unc.edu/

Distinguished Speakers:

Sophie Choukas-Bradley, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Delaware
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
https://www.sophiachoukasbradley.com/

Allison Chase, PhD, CEDS
Regional Clinical Director, Eating Recovery Center
https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/clinical-leadership/allison-chase

Amanda Mozea
Education Outreach Manager, MEDIAGIRLS
https://mediagirls.org/about/team/

To learn more about Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, please visit our website at http://www.childrenandscreens.com.

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