Liu Ting, Cheng Yanying, Luo Yiming, Wang Zhuo, Pang Patrick Cheong-Iao, Xia Yuanze, Lau Ying
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao 999078, China.
School of Business and Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130015, China.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Nov 28;12(23):2391. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12232391.
In the digital age, safeguarding children's mental health (CMH) has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges. The rapid evolution of social media (SM) from a basic networking platform to a multifaceted tool has introduced numerous conveniences. However, it has also posed significant challenges to children's mental well-being.
Given the intricate relationship between the widespread use of SM and mental health issues in children, this study conducted a systematic scoping review to examine the literature on the impact of SM on CMH from 2014 to 2024. Literature searches were performed across five databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and APA PsycInfo), and the retrieved studies were screened, extracted, and analyzed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.
The review identified a complex relationship between SM use and CMH. Different SM platforms exhibited varying effects on children. Frequent SM use was strongly associated with lower self-esteem, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other mental health challenges in children. Conversely, moderate use of SM facilitated social interactions and emotional expression, which may have a positive influence on mental health. Additionally, factors such as social support from family and school were found to play a critical role in mitigating the negative effects of SM on CMH.
To enhance CMH, it is essential to guide children in the appropriate use of SM, promote awareness of privacy protection, and ensure adequate family and social support. Future research should further investigate the specific mechanisms underlying SM use and its differential effects on children across varying age groups and regions.
在数字时代，保障儿童心理健康已成为最紧迫的挑战之一。社交媒体从一个基本的社交平台迅速演变成一个多面工具，带来了诸多便利。然而，它也给儿童的心理健康带来了重大挑战。
鉴于社交媒体的广泛使用与儿童心理健康问题之间的复杂关系，本研究进行了一项系统的范围综述，以考察2014年至2024年期间关于社交媒体对儿童心理健康影响的文献。在五个数据库（科学网、科学Direct、Scopus、PubMed和美国心理学会心理学文摘数据库）中进行文献检索，并根据系统评价和Meta分析扩展的范围综述首选报告项目（PRISMA-ScR）指南对检索到的研究进行筛选、提取和分析。
该综述确定了社交媒体使用与儿童心理健康之间的复杂关系。不同的社交媒体平台对儿童有不同的影响。频繁使用社交媒体与儿童较低的自尊、抑郁症状、焦虑及其他心理健康挑战密切相关。相反，适度使用社交媒体有助于社交互动和情感表达，这可能对心理健康有积极影响。此外，家庭和学校的社会支持等因素在减轻社交媒体对儿童心理健康的负面影响方面起着关键作用。
为了增强儿童心理健康，必须指导儿童正确使用社交媒体，提高隐私保护意识，并确保提供足够的家庭和社会支持。未来的研究应进一步调查社交媒体使用的具体机制及其对不同年龄组和地区儿童的不同影响。
