Navigating Social Media and AI Safety
With more free time during spring break, some children may spend extra time on technology, including social media. Austin Greenhaw, M.D., a behavioral health psychiatrist at Cook Children’s Health Care System, explains what parents should know and how to keep kids safe.
Before discussing the impact, Dr. Greenhaw explains that social media consists of internet-based platforms and applications that enable users to create personal profiles, post content, and interact with user-generated content, as well as to form and maintain online social networks and communities.
Dr. Greenhaw emphasizes the importance of parental involvement.
“The platforms most used by children and adolescents in the United States are TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat, with Twitch, Discord, Pinterest, Reddit, and WhatsApp also playing significant roles in specific subgroups,” said Dr. Greenhaw.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children ages 8 to 18 in the United States spent an average of 7.5 hours a day using screens in 2025.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Roblox
Two areas not always categorized as social media include AI chatbots and Roblox.
Roblox: While primarily a video game, it features elements of social media, such as personal profiles, avatars and the ability to chat with strangers during gameplay.
The platform is incredibly popular and includes many red flags for potential harm, including its engagement-prolonging design, behavioral reinforcers and major concerns for privacy.
“It carries many of the same risks as social media,” said Dr. Greenhaw.
Artificial Intelligence: Web-based tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are creating "parasocial" interactions, where children and teenagers may begin to view AI chatbots as friends or confidantes.
“Given the difficulty of traditional measures to monitor children’s use of this technology, open communication is key for detecting problematic or potentially harmful use,” said Dr. Greenhaw.
Generally, parents want to be informed about their children’s internet use. Creating an open space for frequent communication increases awareness of how children are spending their time online. If a parent is not first aware, they cannot intervene.
"Social media use may lead to worsening mental health outcomes if it includes exposure to cyberbullying, harmful content, algorithmic feeds or engagement-prolonging design," said Dr. Greenhaw.
For Younger Children
- Emotional Regulation: Children can develop a stunted ability to manage their emotions if they rely too heavily on digital platforms for stimulation or distraction.
For Adolescents
- Mental Health: Teens with higher baseline depressive symptoms may increase social media use over time, which can lead to negative social comparisons.
- Body Image: Appearance-focused platforms like Instagram and TikTok have a significant impact on how adolescents view their bodies.
Healthy Digital Habits
- Create a Family Media Plan: Establish screen-free times for the entire family and set clear boundaries.
- Select High-Quality Content: Prioritize content that models social-emotional skills or tailored learning goals, such as math or reading.
- Set Intentional Limits: Be deliberate about when your child receives their first personal device.
- Protect Sleep: Ensure devices are put away well before bedtime to prevent interference with rest.
