![]() Similarly, parents should recognise the significant role it plays as an expressive, educational and social tool. While social media use poses challenges, as it becomes increasingly embedded within the way we communicate, it is important for children to learn how to use it safely. Thus, it is important that both the parent and child develop a level of trust and understand how to engage in safe digital activity. However, traditional media research has found that despite parent’s confidence, incumbent fears can lead guardians to engage in harmful monitoring and restriction of the child’s digital media (Valkenburg et al., 1999). The Parenting in the Digital Age report found that 46% of parents feel confident dealing with any cyberbullying their child may face (Australian Communications and Media Authority 2018). Yet the prevalence of cyberbullying poses parenting challenges. Further, social media use is closely interwoven with children’s sense of self and community and allows them to express their creative practices in novel ways (Lim 2013). As such, they fear losing access to this digital environment (Australian Communications and Media Authority 2018). Most teenagers have grown up with access to the internet and social media. Ultimately, the effect social media has on our health and relationships is complex and difficult to generalise. ![]() In romantic relationships, Zeleznikow found that ‘friending’ or ‘following’ one’s partner online can have a positive outcome for relationship satisfaction (2018). In particular, single parents and those living alone are more likely to report dissatisfaction with offline relationships and therefore rely on social media to connect (Zeleznikow 2018). ![]() Promisingly, Baker & Oswald found that social media can have a positive impact on people’s perceptions of friendship and can provide social support for people who identify as shy (2010). While social media is ostensibly helpful and beneficial for maintaining our relationships, its use has been linked to loneliness, anxiety, depression and even a decrease in our social skills (Kross & colleagues 2013). Social networking is one of the main reasons Australians access the internet today (ABS 2018). ![]() Would you like to be notified when a new survey report is released? Sign up here ![]()
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