Some Benefits, Some Dangers With Kids and Social Media

There are positive and negative effects when children and adolescents use social media websites, says a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Websites such as Facebook and Twitter can help kids connect with friends, share ideas and find health information. But they also can expose children to dangers, such as cyberbullying and sexting, and increase the risk for depression. The AAP says parents need to get more involved. Pediatricians can help by encouraging parents to become more familiar with social networking sites and technologies, talk to their children about the risks, and supervise children’s online behavior. The Associated Press wrote about the report March 28.