Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Social Media and Screen Time in the Clinical Interview: What to Ask and What It Means?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Teens, Screens, and Social Connection

Abstract

As technology expands, children and teenagers are actively using their smartphones at unprecedented rates to access their social media accounts. Purposes behind social media application include connection to peers, entertainment, education, and creative expression. Popular social media sites among children and teens that serve these purposes include Tiktok, Snapchat, and Instagram. While positive aspects of social media are well documented, detrimental effects of increased screen time and social media use are also present. Additionally, dangerous behaviors, such as cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and self-harm, are prevalent when children and teens access social media. This chapter aims to educate clinicians on what children and teenagers are accessing on social media, how to screen for problematic behavior and experiences in the psychiatric interview regarding screen time and social media, and how confidentiality relates to disclosure of dangerous behavior in the virtual world.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Twenge JM, Martin GN, Spitzberg BH. Trends in U.S. adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: the rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychol Popular Media Culture. 2019;8(4):329–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Rideout V, Pai S. The common sense census: media use by tweens and teens. Commonsensemedia.org; 2015. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research/census_researchreport.pdf. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

  3. Nagata JM, Cortez CA, Cattle CJ, Ganson KT, Iyer P, Bibbins-Domingo K, Baker FC. Screen time use among US adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(1):94. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4334.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rideout V, Robb MB. 2019 census 8 to 18 full report updated—common sense media. Commonsensemedia.org; 2019. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research/2019-census-8-to-18-full-report-updated.pdf. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

  5. Shevenock S. YouTube, netflix and gaming: a look at what kids are doing with their increased screen time. Morning Consult; 2020. https://assets.morningconsult.com/wp-uploads/2020/08/26113344/200858_crosstabs_EDUCATION_Parents_v2_LM.pdf. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

  6. Anderson M, Jiang J. Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech; 2021, May 27. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Auxier B, Anderson M, Perrin A, Turner E. Parenting children in the age of screens. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech; 2020, December 17. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bayindir N, Kavanagh D. Social—Global Web Index. Global Web Index; 2018. https://www.gwi.com/hubfs/Downloads/Social-H2-2018-report.pdf. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

  9. Kemp S. Digital 2020: Global Digital Overview—DataReportal—global digital insights. DataReportal; 2021, February 11. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-global-digital-overview. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

  10. Murphy E, Regan NM, Kim Y, Lavery M, Champion T, Kumar HV. Fall 2020 taking stock with teens—Piper Sandler. Piper Sandler; 2020, October 6. https://www.pipersandler.com/private/pdf/TSWTs_Fall_2020_Full_Report.pdf. Accessed 28 Jan 2022.

  11. Media use by children younger than 2 years. Pediatric clinical practice guidelines & policies, pp. 1451; 2017. https://doi.org/10.1542/9781610020862-part05-years

  12. Yu M, Baxter J. Australian children’s screen time and participation in extracurricular activities; 2016, September. https://growingupinaustralia.gov.au/research-findings/annual-statistical-report-2015/australian-childrens-screen-time-and-participation-extracurricular. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  13. Jago R, Stamatakis E, Gama A, Carvalhal IM, Nogueira H, Rosado V, Padez C. Parent and child screen-viewing time and home media environment. Am J Prevent Med. 2012;43(2):150–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2012.04.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hale L, Kirschen GW, LeBourgeois MK, Gradisar M, Garrison MM, Montgomery-Downs H, Kirschen H, McHale SM, Chang AM, Buxton OM. Youth screen media habits and sleep: sleep-friendly screen behavior recommendations for clinicians, educators, and parents. Child Adolescent Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2018;27(2):229–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2017.11.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Franchina V, Vanden Abeele M, van Rooij A, Lo Coco G, De Marez L. Fear of missing out as a predictor of problematic social media use and phubbing behavior among Flemish adolescents. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(10):2319. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102319.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Carter B, Rees P, Hale L, Bhattacharjee D, Paradkar MS. Association between portable screen-based media device access or use and sleep outcomes. JAMA Pediatr. 2016;170(12):1202. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2341.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Lenhart, A. (2009, August 19). Teens and mobile phones over the past five years: pew internet looks Back. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2009/08/19/teens-and-mobile-phones-over-the-past-five-years-pew-internet-looks-back/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  18. Published by Statista Research Department, W. A. S., Hootsuite, Datareportal, Kepios. Most used social media 2021. Statista; 2021, October. https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  19. Published by Statista Research Department. U.S. tiktok users by age 2021. Statista; 2022, January. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1095186/tiktok-us-users-age/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  20. Published by Statista Research Department, 28, J. U.S. Snapchat usage by age 2020. Statista; 2020, September. https://www.statista.com/statistics/814300/snapchat-users-in-the-united-states-by-age/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  21. Published by Statista Research Department, 28, J. Instagram: Age distribution of global audiences 2021. Statista; 2021, October. https://www.statista.com/statistics/325587/instagram-global-age-group/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  22. Piper Sandler I. Taking stock with teens—fall 2021 infographic. Piper Sandler®; 2021, October. https://www.pipersandler.com/1col.aspx?id=6217. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  23. Ucciferri F. Parents’ ultimate guide to tiktok. Common sense media: ratings, reviews, and advice; 2021, March 6. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  24. Herrman J. How TikTok is rewriting the world. The New York Times; 2019, March 10. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/style/what-is-tik-tok.html. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  25. Elgersma C. Parents’ ultimate guide to Snapchat. Common sense media: ratings, reviews, and advice; 2021, March 9. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-snapchat. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  26. Milyan A. Snapmap: The good, bad, and ugly for parents. Screen Time; 2019, March 27. https://screentimelabs.com/snapmap-parental-controls/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  27. Beveridge C. How to use Snapchat: a guide for beginners. Social media marketing & management dashboard; 2021, December 17. https://blog.hootsuite.com/how-to-use-snapchat-beginners-guide/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  28. Elgersma C. Parents’ ultimate guide to Instagram. Common Sense Media: Ratings, reviews, and advice; 2021, March 10. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-instagram. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  29. Forsey C. How to use Instagram: a beginner's guide. HubSpot Blog; 2022, January 18. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-use-instagram. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  30. Instagram. Introducing Instagram reels. Instagram; 2020, August. https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/introducing-instagram-reels-announcement. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  31. Ballard J. Teens use these social media platforms the most. YouGov; 2019, October 24. https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2019/10/25/teens-social-media-use-online-survey-poll-youth. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  32. Alzougool B. The impact of motives for Facebook use on Facebook addiction among ordinary users in Jordan. Int J Social Psychiatry. 2018;64(6):528–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764018784616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Shaulova E, Biagi L. Social media usage in Finland. Statista; 2021, July. https://www.statista.com/study/37855/social-media-usage-in-finland-statista-dossier/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  34. Lenhart A. Teens, technology and friendships. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech; 2015, August 6. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/08/06/teens-technology-and-friendships/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  35. Spies Shapiro LA, Margolin G. Growing up wired: Social networking sites and adolescent psychosocial development. Clin Child Family Psychol Rev. 2013;17(1):1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-013-0135-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Top categories on TikTok by Hashtag Views 2020. Statista; 2020, July. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1130988/most-popular-categories-tiktok-worldwide-hashtag-views/. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  37. Forrester Analytics consumer technographics® US Youth Survey, 2021. Forrester; 2021, November. https://www.forrester.com/Forrester+Analytics+Consumer+Technographics+US+Youth+Survey+2021/-/E-SUS6711. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  38. Rideout V, Robb MB. 2018 social media, social life: Teens reveal their experiences. Common Sense Media; n.d.. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research/2018_cs_socialmediasociallife_fullreport-final-release_2_lowres.pdf. Accessed 29 Jan 2022.

  39. Rideout V, Fox S, Peebles A, Robb MB. Coping with COVID-19: How young people use digital media to manage their mental health. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense and Hopelab; 2021.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Blomfield Neira CJ, Barber BL. Social networking site use: linked to adolescents’ social self-concept, self-esteem, and depressed mood. Austr J Psychol. 2014;66(1):56–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Escobar-Viera CG, Whitfield DL, Wessel CB, Shensa A, Sidani JE, Brown AL, Chandler CJ, Hoffman BL, Marshal MP, Primack BA. For better or for worse? A systematic review of the evidence on social media use and depression among lesbian, gay, and bisexual minorities. JMIR Mental Health. 2018;5(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/10496.

  42. Booker CL, Kelly YJ, Sacker A. Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5220-4.

  43. Scully M, Swords L, Nixon E. Social comparisons on social media: Online appearance-related activity and body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls. Irish J Psychol Med. 2020:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2020.93.

  44. Wang J-L, Wang H-Z, Gaskin J, Hawk S. The mediating roles of upward social comparison and self-esteem and the moderating role of social comparison orientation in the association between social networking site usage and subjective well-being. Front Psychol. 2017;8 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00771.

  45. Jiang S, Ngien A. The effects of Instagram use, social comparison, and self-esteem on social anxiety: a survey study in Singapore. Social Media + Society. 2020;6(2) https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305120912488.

  46. Jang K, Park N, Song H. Social comparison on Facebook: its antecedents and psychological outcomes. Comput Human Behav. 2016;62:147–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Hale L, Li X, Hartstein LE, LeBourgeois MK. Media use and sleep in teenagers: what do we know? Curr Sleep Med Reports. 2019;5(3):128–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-019-00146-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Woods HC, Scott H. #Sleepyteens: social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. J Adolescence. 2016;51:41–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.05.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Cousins JN, Sasmita K, Chee MW. Memory encoding is impaired after multiple nights of partial sleep restriction. J Sleep Res. 2017;27(1):138–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Ferraro FR, Holfeld B, Frankl S, Frye N, Halvorson N. Texting/ipod dependence, executive function and sleep quality in college students. Comput Human Behav. 2015;49:44–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.02.043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Cohen-Zion M, Shabi A, Levy S, Glasner L, Wiener A. Effects of partial sleep deprivation on information processing speed in adolescence. J Int Neuropsychol Society. 2016;22(4):388–98. s

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Perrault AA, Bayer L, Peuvrier M, Afyouni A, Ghisletta P, Brockmann C, Spiridon M, Hulo Vesely S, Haller DM, Pichon S, Perrig S, Schwartz S, Sterpenich V. Reducing the use of screen electronic devices in the evening is associated with improved sleep and daytime vigilance in adolescents. Sleep. 2019;42(9) https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsz125.

  53. Sampasa-Kanyinga H, Lewis RF. Frequent use of social networking sites is associated with poor psychological functioning among children and adolescents. Cyberpsychol Behav Social Networking. 2015;18(7):380–5. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2015.0055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Keles B, McCrae N, Grealish A. A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. Int J Adolescence Youth. 2019;25(1):79–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Thorisdottir IE, Sigurvinsdottir R, Asgeirsdottir BB, Allegrante JP, Sigfusdottir ID. Active and passive social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood among Icelandic adolescents. Cyberpsychol Behav Social Networking. 2019;22(8):535–42. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0079.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Schwartz MD, Costello KL. Eating disorder in teens during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Adolescent Health. 2021;68(5):1022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.02.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Kleemans M, Daalmans S, Carbaat I, Anschütz D. Picture perfect: The direct effect of manipulated Instagram photos on body image in adolescent girls. Media Psychol. 2016;21(1):93–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2016.1257392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Faelens L, Hoorelbeke K, Cambier R, van Put J, Van de Putte E, De Raedt R, Koster EHW. The relationship between instagram use and indicators of mental health: a systematic review. Comput Human Behav Reports. 2021;4:100121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Zhu C, Huang S, Evans R, Zhang W. Cyberbullying among adolescents and children: a comprehensive review of the global situation, risk factors, and preventive measures. Front Public Health. 2021;9 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.634909.

  60. Willard NE. Cyberbullying and cyberthreats: responding to the challenge of online social aggression, threats, and distress. Champaign: Research Press; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Tian L, Yan Y, Huebner ES. Effects of cyberbullying and cybervictimization on early adolescents' mental health: differential mediating roles of perceived peer relationship stress. Cyberpsychol Behav Social Networking. 2018;21(7):429–36. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2017.0735.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Copp JE, Mumford EA, Taylor BG. Online sexual harassment and cyberbullying in a nationally representative sample of teens: Prevalence, predictors, and consequences. J Adolescence. 2021;93:202–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.10.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. The annual bullying survey—ditch the label. Ditch The Label; 2017, July. https://www.ditchthelabel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/The-Annual-Bullying-Survey-2017-1.pdf. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  64. Scribner H. Teens are creating 'Hate pages' on Instagram to bully and 'trash' their peers. Deseret News; 2018, October 15. https://www.deseret.com/2018/10/15/20655935/teens-are-creating-hate-pages-on-instagram-to-bully-and-trash-their-peers. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  65. Dean S. Snap suspends anonymous Q&A apps Yolo and LMK after lawsuit over teen's death. Los Angeles Times; 2021, May 11. https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2021-05-11/snapchat-suspends-yolo-lmk. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  66. Weimann G, Masri N. Research note: Spreading hate on tiktok. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism. 2020:1, 10.1080/1057610x.2020.1780027–14.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Self-generated child sexual abuse material: youth attitudes and experiences in 2020 findings from 2020 quantitative research among 9–17 year olds. Thorn; 2021, November. https://info.thorn.org/hubfs/Research/SGCSAM_Attidues&Experiences_YouthMonitoring_FullReport_2021_FINAL%20(1).pdf. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  68. Richards V. Kids have been sexting more in lockdown. What can parents do? HuffPost UK; 2020, July 30. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kids-sexting-more-in-lockdown-advice-for-parents_uk_5f1ab94dc5b6128e68242a0c. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  69. Responding to online threats: minors’ perspectives on disclosing, reporting, and blocking findings from 2020 quantitative research among 9–17 year olds. Thorn; 2021, May. https://info.thorn.org/hubfs/Research/Responding%20to%20Online%20Threats_2021-Full-Report.pdf. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  70. Pugachevsky J. Here's how to sext on Snapchat like a total pro. Cosmopolitan; 2021, November 1. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a27611587/snapchat-sexting/. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  71. Wille M. Instagram makes sexting effortless with new Vanish mode. Instagram makes sexting effortless with new vanish mode; 2020, December 10. https://www.inputmag.com/culture/instagram-makes-sexting-effortless-with-new-vanish-mode. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  72. Anderson M. A majority of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech; 2020, August 14. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/09/27/a-majority-of-teens-have-experienced-some-form-of-cyberbullying/. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  73. FBI. Stop sextortion. FBI; 2019, September 3. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/stop-sextortion-youth-face-risk-online-090319. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  74. Giordano AL, Lundeen LA, Wester KL, Lee J, Vickers S, Schmit MK, Kim IK. Nonsuicidal self-injury on. Instagram: examining hashtag trends: Int J Adv Counseling; 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-021-09451-z.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  75. Giordano A, Lundeen LA, Scoffone CM, Kilpatrick EP, Gorritz FB. Clinical work with clients who self-injure: a descriptive study. Professional Counselor. 2020;10(2):181–93. https://doi.org/10.15241/ag.10.2.181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Klonsky ED, Victor SE, Saffer BY. Nonsuicidal self-injury: What we know, and what we need to know. Can J Psychiatry. 2014;59(11):565–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371405901101.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  77. Carson NJ, Gansner M, Khang J. Assessment of digital media use in the adolescent psychiatric evaluation. Child Adolescent Psychiatric Clin North Am. 2018;27(2):133–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2017.11.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Clay AL, Okoniewski KC, Haskett ME. Child abuse prevention and treatment act (CAPTA). Encyclopedia Child Adolescent Dev. 2020:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad222.

  79. Theoharis M. Teen sexting; 2020, September 8. www.criminaldefenselawyer.com. https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/crime-penalties/juvenile/sexting.htm. Accessed 7 Feb 2022.

  80. Strasburger VC, Zimmerman H, Temple JR, Madigan S. Teenagers, sexting, and the law. Pediatrics. 2019;143(5). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-3183.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SSM Health Treffert Studios, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, USA

    Ashvin Sood

  2. Office of Mental Health-New York City Children’s Center, New York, NY, USA

    Janki Modi Avari

Authors
  1. Ashvin Sood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Janki Modi Avari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine NewYork-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA

    Alma Spaniardi

  2. Office of Mental Health-New York City Children’s Center, New York, NY, USA

    Janki Modi Avari

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sood, A., Avari, J.M. (2023). Social Media and Screen Time in the Clinical Interview: What to Ask and What It Means?. In: Spaniardi, A., Avari, J.M. (eds) Teens, Screens, and Social Connection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24804-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24804-7_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-24803-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-24804-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation