From health and nutrition to behaviour and learning, a recent survey of parents of young children suggests that social media is increasingly becoming a go-to for parenting advice, even if parents are aware they may encounter a lot of inaccurate information.
A national poll conducted by the University of Michigan Health CS Mott Children’s Hospital in the United States reveals that social media is an increasingly popular source of information and advice for parents of young kids.
The survey, involving 614 parents with at least one child aged 0-4, reveals that four in five adults turn to social media for information on parenting and to share their experiences – a “significant increase” from a similar survey conducted in 2015.
Topics most commonly discussed on social platforms are potty training (44%), children’s sleep (42%), nutrition or breastfeeding (37%), discipline (37%), vaccinations (26%), and childcare (24%).
And if parents turn to social networks to address these issues, it’s mainly to benefit from different points of view (around 60%), while a smaller proportion cite the practical nature of these platforms (25%).
Many find them useful for feeling less isolated, learning from the experiences of others, and getting advice on whether or not to buy certain products.
“Many parents turn to online communities to exchange advice or discuss parenting challenges because it may seem faster and easier than asking a health professional,” said poll co-director Sarah Clark.
“Finding parent camaraderie in this space can have benefits, but parents should keep in mind that every family’s experience is different and not everything they hear online may be accurate or the right thing for their child.”
A notable concern among parents is the phenomenon of “sharenting”, which involves the sharing of personal information or images of children on social media. The practice raises privacy issues, among other issues.
In particular, survey respondents are worried about other parents oversharing information about their children (around 80%); the risk of revealing too much personal information (around 60%); sharing false or misleading information (almost 50%); or even posting inappropriate photos (over 25%).
These issues prompt more than half of parents to use privacy settings or restrict access to these types of posts. Nearly a third of parents simply choose to avoid posting photos or videos of their kids altogether.
“Families should consider whether their child may one day be embarrassed about having personal information shared without their consent,” Clark pointed out. “A good rule is, if you have any doubt, don’t share it.
“In addition, parents should consult with parents of other children in photos for approval before sharing them on social media.”
When it comes to social networking, it’s important to identify what’s true and what’s false, especially when it comes to children’s issues. Some 40% of parents find it difficult to distinguish between good and bad advice, especially first-time mums and dads.
“Social media is a convenient way for parents to seek information about parenting challenges in real time, especially in between checkups. But it’s important that parents identify reputable sources of information about children’s health and parenting, and that they consult those sources before attempting new strategies with their own child,” Clark concluded.