Children are now born into a digital world, so it’s natural for there to be concerns about the detrimental effects of social media, on a child’s mental health.  Studies have shown a correlation between increased social media use and symptoms of depression, anxiety, cyberbullying, sleep disturbance, and other behavioral problems among young adults. Given these alarming findings, the role of a pediatrician has never been more critical in identifying and addressing these issues and safeguarding the well-being of their young patients.

Screening young people for mental health needs is a delicate process that requires a nuanced approach. Pediatricians are required to navigate the delicate balance between probing for personal, social, and clinical information while creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where children feel comfortable sharing their concerns candidly. As an example, many children are reluctant to disclose the extent of their social media activity, their feelings, their interactions, episodes of bullying, etc. especially if they fear that their parents or caregivers may react negatively to their candid answers.

A new wave of screening and triage tools can help providers identify children who may need additional support or confidential services. These tools can be integrated into the pre-arrival check-in process or telehealth platforms, allowing patients to disclose sensitive information privately before their appointment. Some studies have shown that patients are more forthcoming on a remote pre-arrival questionnaire than when they are speaking one-on-one with their doctors or in front of their guardians.

Challenges in Obtaining Honest Answers

One of the significant challenges pediatricians have to grapple with is obtaining honest and accurate information from their young patients. Their reluctance stems from not wanting to share personal information with an adult, but also a fear that their parents might gain access to that information. This can include instances of depression, sexual activity, substance abuse, social media addiction, and domestic violence. This makes it essential for pediatricians to build trust and rapport with the children and their families.

The Role of Multiple Stakeholders in Children’s Health

When addressing the impact of social media and mental health on children, it’s crucial to recognize that pediatricians are just one of the vital stakeholders. Schools, religious institutions, sports teams, special needs programs and other community organizations all play a significant role in shaping a child’s well-being and social media usage. As we say, “It takes a village,” but oftentimes disparate objectives & goals being followed by these stakeholders can cause friction when it comes to a child’s care such as the coach who believes a doctor is too abundantly cautious in suggesting when a child can safely return to the sport.

Ways Technology Can Help

• Direct, open communication: These allow minors to communicate directly and privately with their providers removing the barrier that a guardian might present.
• Patient Privacy and Confidentiality: Healthcare organizations need to ensure that their systems and processes comply with privacy regulations like HIPAA. This includes implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive patient data, as well as providing clear privacy policies and consent forms for patients and their parents about how information may be shared with others.
• Secure Communication Channels: Offering telehealth services requires secure and encrypted communication channels to protect the confidentiality of patient-provider interactions. This could involve implementing video conferencing platforms with end-to-end encryption or secure messaging systems for text-based communication.
• Separation of Patient Records: Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems should have the capability to separate and restrict access to certain parts of a patient’s record based on sensitivity and age. This would allow young patients to have private conversations with healthcare providers without their parents having automatic access to that information.
• Age-appropriate Interfaces: Pre-arrival check-in and patient portals should be designed with age-appropriate interfaces and language to ensure that young patients can understand and navigate the system comfortably. This could involve simplified interfaces, visual cues, and clear explanations of confidentiality policies.

Conclusion

Addressing the complex interplay between social media usage, mental health, and overall well-being in minors require a collaborative and multi-faceted approach. While pediatricians play a crucial role in screening for mental health issues and providing medical guidance, it’s essential to recognize the influence of  all the other stakeholders in a child’s life, including schools, religious institutions, sports teams, and community organizations.

By working together and fostering open appropriate communication among all stakeholders, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment that empowers children to make informed decisions about their social media usage, prioritize their mental health, and thrive in today’s digital world.

In addition, by leveraging cutting-edge technologies, pediatricians have the digital tools they need to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare and address the unique challenges posed by social media. To learn more about how these technologies can improve pediatric care, visit the Yosi Health website here.

To read the full article, Click Here