618 - Attitude towards and perception of social media usage in children aged 8-12 years and their parents

Monday, May 1, 2023

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET

Poster Number: 618
Publication Number: 618.454

Paridhi Anand, NYC Health and Hospital/Kings County, Brooklyn, NY, United States

Presenting Author(s)

Shuan Chen, MD (she/her/hers)

Resident
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York, United States

First Author(s)

Paridhi Anand, MD

Associate Director of Pediatric Ambulatory care
NYC Health and Hospital/Kings County
Brooklyn, New York, United States

Background: Social media websites and applications are among the most common engagements for children. While they offer a source of entertainment and communication, they are also associated with problems like cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate material, and unsafe relationships. Hence, it is important that parents become aware of the risks and benefits of social media. A lot has been said about the effect of social media use on mental health in adolescents and the link between screen time with obesity. However, there isn't enough data on the use of social media in younger children in relation to degree and supervision of use. We aimed to study the attitudes of and perceptions towards social media use in children ages 8-12 years and their parents.

Objective:
To study the attitudes of and perceptions towards social media use in children ages 8-12 years and their parents at a primary care clinic in an urban inner-city hospital.

Design/Methods: Questionnaires were administered to children 8-12 years and their parents. Demographic information was collected. Categorical data were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test, numerical data using the Mann-Whitney U test. Text analysis was used to analyze parents' concerns about the effect of social media on their children. SAS was used for statistical analysis.

Results: 102 questionnaires were administered during the study period. 53% children were male, 84% were Black/African American, 49% parents reported "high school" as highest level of education. 96% parents reported their child has a device while 99% children reported having a device. 60% children reported having >1 device. Children were more likely to report unsupervised use p < 0.01. Children were more likely to report having a social media account p < 0.01. Children were more likely to report playing online video games p < 0.01. 95% of children reported playing online games with known individuals. Children were more likely to report using their device past bedtime p < 0.01. There was no difference in reports of parents knowing their child's social media account password p=0.39. Hours of use reported by children and parents were significantly different. 55% of parents reported "no effect" of social media on their children. The most common concern among parents was the duration of use and inappropriate content.

Conclusion(s):
Our findings demonstrate a significant difference in parents' perception of social media usage and usage reported by their children aged 8-12 years in relation to duration and supervision. The most common concerns regarding social media use among parents were time spent and inappropriate content.

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