As teens spend increasingly more time online, consuming video content that can alternately educate, entertain, manipulate, and potentially harm, the American Psychological Association (APA) has issued its first comprehensive guideline to help parents, educators, and tech companies navigate this complex digital terrain. Key to the APA’s recommendations is educating adolescents to be more selective about the content they consume. The report highlights positive aspects of online videos, such as assistance with homework, teaching new skills or hobbies, and providing insight into different cultures and experiences.
However, the report also identifies negative aspects of teen online video access. It suggests that adolescents who are more emotionally sensitive or anxious may experience distress when viewing intense content. Likewise, kids with body image concerns or disordered eating patterns are more likely to find content encouraging unhealthy physical ideals suggestive.
The APA report also urges tech companies to modify platform features that can adversely affect adolescent well-being. Platforms that rely on content recommendations, rapid transitions between short-form videos, and autoplay features may increase exposure to harmful content and promote maladaptive viewing habits among youth, according to the APA. If a video shows dangerous stunts or promotes harmful behavior, help your teen understand why watching or copying these actions is not OK.
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