The DOI matches its Crossref record; 17 of the 17 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 5 of the 25 sources its claims cite were checked for support.
The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families
Abstract
Using social media Web sites is among the most common activity of today's children and adolescents. Any Web site that allows social interaction is considered a social media site, including social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter; gaming sites and virtual worlds such as Club Penguin, Second Life, and the Sims; video sites such as YouTube; and blogs. Such sites offer today's youth a portal for entertainment and communication and have grown exponentially in recent years. For this reason, it is important that parents become aware of the nature of social media sites, given that not all of them are healthy environments for children and adolescents. Pediatricians are in a unique position to help families understand these sites and to encourage healthy use and urge parents to monitor for potential problems with cyberbullying, “Facebook depression,” sexting, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Overview
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
Social media use is a routine part of youth life and can benefit communication, learning, and health information access, but it also carries risks including cyberbullying, sexting, “Facebook depression,” privacy/digital-footprint problems, and advertising influence. The AAP clinical report advises pediatricians to help families understand these issues, create family online-use plans, and supervise through active participation rather than remote monitoring alone.
Key findings
- Social media use is widespread: 22% of teenagers log on to their favorite social media site more than 10 times a day, more than half log on more than once a day, 75% own cell phones, and among cell phone owners 25% use them for social media, 54% for texting, and 24% for instant messaging.
- Benefits include socialization and communication, enhanced learning opportunities, and access to health information; risks include cyberbullying (described as the most common online risk, with possible depression, anxiety, severe isolation, and suicide), sexting (a recent survey found 20% of teens had sent or posted nude or seminude photographs or videos of themselves), “Facebook depression,” privacy/digital-footprint concerns, and advertising influences.
- The report recommends that pediatricians advise parents to talk with children about online use, work on their own participation gap, create a family online-use plan, supervise via active participation rather than a “net-nanny” program, and respect site minimum ages such as the COPPA-related age of 13 years.
Methods
- Design: American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report/guidance from the Council on Communications and Media; no primary data collection, systematic review, or meta-analysis is described.
- Data/sources: narrative synthesis of cited literature, polls, surveys, news reports, and organizational resources (e.g., Common Sense Media, Pew, AAP resources).
- Main analysis: descriptive/expert guidance; no quantitative analysis or formal evidence grading is described.
Limitations
- The paper states no limitations.
- Evident from the text: there is no systematic search strategy, inclusion criteria, or quality appraisal; some support for “Facebook depression” comes from media/news sources (e.g., Daily Telegraph, TrendHunter), and the phenomenon is described as “proposed.”
- Evident from the text: the report is from 2011, with platform examples and statistics that date the guidance, and it presents no primary data to test associations.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
7 Sources not found · 6 No full text of the sources · 5 Own interpretation · 3 Supported · 3 Not checked yet · 2 Partly supported · accuracy not yet measured
Every source the paper cites for this claim was checked and supports it.
In the paper
“Such parents may lack a basic understanding of these new forms of socialization, which are integral to their children's lives. 8”
What the sources say
- Supportedcites [8] Palfrey J, Gasser U, Boyd D. Response to FCC Notice of Inquiry 09-94: “Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape.” Cambridge, MA: Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University; 2010.Available at: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/sites/cyber.law.harvard.edu/files/Palfrey_Gasser_boyd_response_to_FCC_NOI_09-94_Feb2010.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
The Introduction (page not provided) says parents and grandparents are often baffled by young people’s technology-related habits. Section II (page not provided) describes online friendship and sharing as important parts of young people’s daily lives, supporting the claim’s description of these forms of socialization. (LLM, conf=0.86)
hedged- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Supported
The cited sources support only part of this claim — read each source’s verdict below.
In the paper
“They frequently do not have the technical abilities or time needed to keep pace with their children in the ever-changing Internet landscape. 8”
What the sources say
- Partly supportedcites [8] Palfrey J, Gasser U, Boyd D. Response to FCC Notice of Inquiry 09-94: “Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape.” Cambridge, MA: Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University; 2010.Available at: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/sites/cyber.law.harvard.edu/files/Palfrey_Gasser_boyd_response_to_FCC_NOI_09-94_Feb2010.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
The “Effectiveness of Content Control Technologies and Protective Strategies” section identifies parental discomfort and unfamiliarity as reasons online controls may be inadequate. The Introduction also says parents are often baffled by their children’s technology habits. Neither passage says parents frequently lack the time to keep pace with their children (page numbers unavailable). (LLM, conf=0.84)
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Partly supported
The cited sources support only part of this claim — read each source’s verdict below.
In the paper
“Preadolescents and adolescents who lack an awareness of privacy issues often post inappropriate messages, pictures, and videos without understanding that 'what goes online stays online.' 8”
What the sources say
- Partly supportedcites [8] Palfrey J, Gasser U, Boyd D. Response to FCC Notice of Inquiry 09-94: “Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape.” Cambridge, MA: Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University; 2010.Available at: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/sites/cyber.law.harvard.edu/files/Palfrey_Gasser_boyd_response_to_FCC_NOI_09-94_Feb2010.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
The Privacy section (page unavailable) says online disclosures can be persistent and hard to delete, and that youth do not always understand privacy tools. It also reports that teens share photos and videos. It does not establish that preadolescents and adolescents who lack privacy awareness often post inappropriate material because they do not understand its persistence; it cautions that broad fears about youth oversharing are generally not borne out by research. (LLM, conf=0.83)
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Partly supported
In the paper
“Middle and high school students are using social media to connect with one another on homework and group projects. 11”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [11] Boyd D. Taken Out of Context: American Teen Sociality in Networked PublicsBerkeley, CA: University of California; 2008. Available at: www.danah.org/papers/TakenOutOfContext.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Not matched
In the paper
“This phenomenon does occur among the teen population; a recent survey revealed that 20% of teens have sent or posted nude or seminude photographs or videos of themselves. 19”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [19] National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Sex and Tech: Results of a Survey of Teens and Young Adults. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy; 2008. Available at: www.thenationalcampaign.org/SEXTECH/PDF/SexTech_Summary.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Not matched
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“As a result, future jobs and college acceptance may be put into jeopardy by inexperienced and rash clicks of the mouse.”
hedgedconditional- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Thus, a large part of this generation's social and emotional development is occurring while on the Internet and on cell phones.”
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
In the paper
“Using social media Web sites is among the most common activity of today's children and adolescents.”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [2] Common Sense Media. Is Technology Networking Changing Childhood? A National Poll. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media; 2009.Available at: www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/CSM_teen_social_media_080609_FINAL.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Not matched
In the paper
“Adolescents with chronic illnesses can access Web sites through which they can develop supportive networks of people with similar conditions. 13”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [13] Lenhart A, Purcell K, Smith A, Zickur K. Social Media and Young Adults. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2010.Available at: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Social-Media-and-Young-Adults.aspx. Accessed July 16, 2010
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
In the paper
“Such powerful influences start as soon as children begin to go online and post. 29”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [29] Kunkel D, Wilcox BL, Cantor J, Palmer E, Linn S, Dowrick P. Report of the APA Task Force on Advertising and Children. Section: psychological aspects of commercialization of childhood. February 2004. Available at: www.chawisconsin.org/Obesity/O2ChildAds.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010 source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- It may state two separate claims as one. 15
- Probably not a substantial claim. 3
Every source the paper cites for this claim was checked and supports it.
In the paper
“Engaging in various forms of social media is a routine activity that research has shown to benefit children and adolescents by enhancing communication, social connection, and even technical skills. 1”
What the sources say
- Supportedcites [1] Ito M, Horst H, Bittani M, et al Living and Learning With New Media: Summary of Findings From the Digital Youth Project. Chicago, IL: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning; 2008.Available at: http://digitalyouth.ischool.berkeley.edu/files/report/digitalyouth-TwoPageSummary.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
The sections “Extending Friendships and Interests” and “Always-On Communication” describe young people routinely using online media to communicate and maintain social connections. The “Abstract” states that youth pick up social and technological skills while hanging out online. Page numbers are not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.92)
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Supported
Every source the paper cites for this claim was checked and supports it.
In the paper
“The end result is often a knowledge and technical skill gap between parents and youth, which creates a disconnect in how these parents and youth participate in the online world together. 9”
What the sources say
- Supportedcites [9] Jenkins H, Clinton K, Purushotma R, Robinson AJ, Weigel M. Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century. Chicago, IL: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning; 2006.Available at: http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/{7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E}/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF. Accessed July 16, 2010
The section ‘Why We Should Teach Media Literacy: Three Core Problems’ says youths know more about new media environments than most parents and teachers. The ‘Parents’ section says parents lack information and opportunities to acquire relevant skills, while ‘Affinity Spaces’ notes that adults may inadequately interact with children about their media use. Together, these support the paraphrase of a knowledge and skills gap affecting their engagement online. (LLM, conf=0.88)
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Supported
In the paper
“Seventy-five percent of teenagers now own cell phones, and 25% use them for social media, 54% use them for texting, and 24% use them for instant messaging. 3”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [3] Hinduja, 2007, Offline consequences of online victimization: school violence and delinquency, J Sch Violence source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“These types of behavior put their privacy at risk.”
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
In the paper
“The mobile technologies that teens use daily, namely cell phones, instant messaging, and text messaging, have already produced multiple improvements in their health care, such as increased medication adherence, better disease understanding, and fewer missed appointments. 14”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [14] Krishna, 2009, Healthcare via cell phones: a systematic review, Telemed E Health source
boosteddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“The main risk to preadolescents and adolescents online today are risks from each other, risks of improper use of technology, lack of privacy, sharing too much information, or posting false information about themselves or others. 28”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [28] Barnes, 2006, A privacy paradox: social networking in the United States, First Monday source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Given that the new social media venues all have mobile applications, teenagers will have enhanced opportunities to learn about their health issues and communicate with their doctors.”
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: unclear — It is unclear why the paper says it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Some schools successfully use blogs as teaching tools, 12 which has the benefit of reinforcing skills in English, written expression, and creativity.”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [12] Borja RR. “Blogs” catching on as tool for instruction: teachers use interactive Web pages to hone writing skills. Educ Week. December 14, 2005. Available at: www.iapsych.com/edblogs.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Not matched
In the paper
“Other problems that merit awareness include Internet addiction and concurrent sleep deprivation. 7”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [7] Christakis, 2009, Trapped in the net: will internet addiction become a 21st-century epidemic, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: fails — It may be too vague to check against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“According to a recent poll, 22% of teenagers log on to their favorite social media site more than 10 times a day, and more than half of adolescents log on to a social media site more than once a day. 2”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [2] Common Sense Media. Is Technology Networking Changing Childhood? A National Poll. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media; 2009.Available at: www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/CSM_teen_social_media_080609_FINAL.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Not matched
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Current data suggest that online harassment is not as common as offline harassment, 15 and participation in social networking sites does not put most children at risk of online harassment. 16”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [15] Lenhart A. Cyberbullying. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2007.Available at: www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/Cyberbullying.aspx. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [16] Ybarra, 2008, How risky are social networking sites? A comparison of places online where youth sexual solicitation and harassment occurs, Pediatrics source
hedged- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Not matched
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Recent research indicates that there are frequent online expressions of offline behaviors, such as bullying, clique-forming, and sexual experimentation, 4 that have introduced problems such as cyberbullying, 5 privacy issues, and 'sexting.' 6”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [4] Lenhart A. Teens and Sexting. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2009.Available at: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Teens-and-Sexting.aspx. Accessed August 4, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [5] Patchin, 2006, Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: a preliminary look at cyberbullying, Youth Violence Juv Justice source
- Not matchedcites [6] A thin line: 2009 AP-TVT digital abuse study. Available at: www.athinline.org/MTV-AP_Digital_Abuse_Study_Executive_Summary.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Not matched
None of the sources cited for this claim could be matched to a paper in Crossref, so there is nothing to check it against.
In the paper
“Some teens who have engaged in sexting have been threatened or charged with felony child pornography charges, although some states have started characterizing such behaviors as juvenile-law misdemeanors. 20,21”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [20] Gifford NV. Sexting in the USA. Washington, DC: Family Online Safety Institute Report; 2009.Available at: www.fosi.org/cms/downloads/resources/Sexting.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Not matchedcites [21] Walker, 2010, Child's play or child pornography: the need for better laws regarding sexting, ACJS Today
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Not matched
In the paper
“In many circumstances, however, the sexting incident is not shared beyond a small peer group or a couple and is not found to be distressing at all. 4”
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites [4] Lenhart A. Teens and Sexting. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2009.Available at: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Teens-and-Sexting.aspx. Accessed August 4, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
- Not matched
In the paper
“On the other hand, cyberbullying is quite common, can occur to any young person online, and can cause profound psychosocial outcomes including depression, anxiety, severe isolation, and, tragically, suicide. 17”
What the sources say
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites [17] Hinduja, 2010, Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide, Arch Suicide Res source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“As with offline depression, preadolescents and adolescents who suffer from Facebook depression are at risk for social isolation and sometimes turn to risky Internet sites and blogs for 'help' that may promote substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, or aggressive or selfdestructive behaviors.”
hedgedcorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: fails — The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
The paper relies on this without support.
Children and adolescents have limited capacity for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure.
“Because of their limited capacity for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure, children and adolescents are at some risk as they navigate and experiment with social media.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Parents often lack a basic understanding that kids' online lives are an extension of their offline lives.
“In addition, these parents often lack a basic understanding that kids' online lives are an extension of their offline lives.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Adolescents can encounter inaccuracies during online health searches and require parental involvement to use reliable resources, interpret information correctly, and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
“However, because of their young age, adolescents can encounter inaccuracies during these searches and require parental involvement to be sure they are using reliable online resources, interpreting the information correctly, and not becoming overwhelmed by the information they are reading.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Using social media becomes a risk to adolescents more often than most adults realize.
“Using social media becomes a risk to adolescents more often than most adults realize.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Additional consequences of sexting include school suspension for perpetrators and emotional distress with accompanying mental health conditions for victims.
“Additional consequences include school suspension for perpetrators and emotional distress with accompanying mental health conditions for victims.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Many sexting images become distributed rapidly via cell phones or the Internet.
“Many of these images become distributed rapidly via cell phones or the Internet.”
The paper relies on this without support.
One of the biggest threats to young people on social media sites is to their digital footprint and future reputations.
“One of the biggest threats to young people on social media sites is to their digital footprint and future reputations.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Indiscriminate Internet activity can make children and teenagers easier for marketers and fraudsters to target.
“Indiscriminate Internet activity also can make children and teenagers easier for marketers and fraudsters to target.”
The paper relies on this without support.
When Internet users visit various Web sites, they can leave behind evidence of which sites they have visited.
“When Internet users visit various Web sites, they can leave behind evidence of which sites they have visited.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Behavioral ads are common on social media sites and operate by gathering information on the person using a site and then targeting that person's profile to influence purchasing decisions.
“It is particularly important for parents to be aware of the behavioral ads, because they are common on social media sites and operate by gathering information on the person using a site and then targeting that person's profile to influence purchasing decisions.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Many online venues are now prohibiting ads on sites where children and adolescents are participating.
“Many online venues are now prohibiting ads on sites where children and adolescents are participating.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Many parents are aware that 13 years is the minimum age for most social media sites but do not understand why.
“Many parents are aware that 13 years is the minimum age for most social media sites but do not understand why.”
The paper relies on this without support.
13 years is the age set by Congress in the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits Web sites from collecting information on children younger than 13 years without parental permission.
“First, 13 years is the age set by Congress in the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits Web sites from collecting information on children younger than 13 years without parental permission.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The official terms of service for many popular sites now mirror the COPPA regulations and state that 13 years is the minimum age to sign up and have a profile.
“Second, the official terms of service for many popular sites now mirror the COPPA regulations and state that 13 years is the minimum age to sign up and have a profile.”
The paper relies on this without support.
There are many sites for preadolescents and younger children that do not have such an age restriction.
“There are many sites for preadolescents and younger children that do not have such an age restriction, such as Disney sites, Club Penguin, and others.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Falsifying age has become common practice by some preadolescents and some parents.
“Falsifying age has become common practice by some preadolescents and some parents.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Acceptance by and contact with peers is an important element of adolescent life.
“Acceptance by and contact with peers is an important element of adolescent life.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“were initially promoted based on scant evidence in a statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media warning of the dangers of ‘excessive Facebook’ use among children and adolescents”
From Annual Research Review: Adolescent mental health in the digital age: facts, fears, and future directions. (2020) · cites this paper as O’Keeffe & Clarke-Pearson, 2011
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Some studies have observed a negative relationship while others have acknowledged that a positive association exists as social media can facilitate online social connections [117] and reduce the levels of negative emotions and feelings, such as stress, loneliness, depression, and the sense of social isolation [48], thus beneficial to users’ PWB.”
From How social media usage affects psychological and subjective well-being: testing a moderated mediation model (2023) · cites this paper as [48]
Citations
Cites
(2006) · BiblioBoard Library Catalog (Open Research Library) · Cited by 3,173
Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Suicide
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010) · Archives of Suicide Research · doi:10.1080/13811118.2010.494133 · Cited by 2,078
Bullies Move Beyond the Schoolyard: A Preliminary Look at Cyberbullying
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2006) · Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice · doi:10.1177/1541204006286288 · Cited by 1,701
Confronting the challenges of participatory cultures (media education for the 21st century)
Jenkins, H., Purushotma, R., Weigel, M., Clinton, K., & Robison, A. J. (2009) · Cited by 1,563
A privacy paradox: Social networking in the United States
Barnes, S. B. (2006) · First Monday · doi:10.5210/fm.v11i9.1394 · Cited by 1,336
Healthcare via Cell Phones: A Systematic Review
Krishna, S., Boren, S. A., & Balas, E. A. (2009) · Telemedicine and e-Health · doi:10.1089/tmj.2008.0099 · Cited by 882
Why Youth Heart Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life
boyd, D. (2017) · Issue Lab (Candid) · doi:10.17605/osf.io/22hq2 · Cited by 735
(2009) · OAPEN (The OAPEN Foundation) · Cited by 632
Offline Consequences of Online Victimization: School Violence and Delinquency
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2007) · Journal of School Violence · doi:10.1300/j202v06n03_06 · Cited by 619
Taken Out of Context: American Teen Sociality in Networked PublicsPreprint
boyd, D. (2017) · OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/edq6c · Cited by 564
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Walker, 2010, Child's play or child pornography: the need for better laws regarding sexting, ACJS Today, XXXV, 3
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020) · International Journal of Adolescence and Youth · doi:10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851 · Cited by 1,909
Odgers, C. L., & Jensen, M. R. (2020) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.13190 · Cited by 1,189
Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., Hoffman, B. L., Giles, L. M., & Primack, B. A. (2016) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.22466 · Cited by 1,111
Adolescent psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown
Guessoum, S. B., Lachal, J., Radjack, R., Carretier, E., Minassian, S., Benoit, L., & Moro, M. R. (2020) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113264 · Cited by 1,025
Children, Adolescents, and the Media
Strasburger, V. C., Hogan, M. J., Mulligan, D. A., Ameenuddin, N., Christakis, D., Cross, C., Fagbuyi, D. B., Hill, D. L., Levine, A. E., McCarthy, C., et al. (2013) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2656 · Cited by 925
Metadata
- Authors
- O'Keeffe, G. S., Clarke-Pearson, K., & Council on Communications and Media
- Venue
- Pediatrics
- Publisher
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Published
- 2011-04-01
- Volume
- 127
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 800-804
- ISSN
- 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-4275
- OpenAlex
- W2112205306
- Semantic Scholar
- 706f619843a0b2e89480a86bf2273b08f16ee26a
- Cited by
- 1,987
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 51 · 2025: 93 · 2024: 140 · 2023: 157 · 2022: 179 · 2021: 208 · 2020: 158 · 2019: 176 · 2018: 170 · 2017: 144 · 2016: 123 · 2015: 129 · 2014: 120 · 2013: 66 · 2012: 50
- FWCI
- 272.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
- Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
- Keywords
- social media, children, adolescents, family, social networking sites, virtual worlds, YouTube, blogs, parental supervision, cyberbullying, sexting, pediatricians, healthy social media use
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Age Factors, Child, Communication, Depression, Education, Health Education, Humans, Leisure Activities, Pediatrics, Peer Group, Physician's Role, Risk Factors, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Social Isolation, Social Support, Socialization, United States, User-Computer Interface, Privacy, Video Games, Internet, Bullying
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-10-19, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).
A second model labelled each claim on 2026-10-19 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).
Cited sources are checked with a language model’s help (gpt-6-sol).
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
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