According to research, social media is where most of the new parents are going for guidance on potty training, sleep issues and toddler tantrums.
The University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health mentioned that, four in five turns to forums like TikTok and Facebook for advices on caring for young children, while about half rate of social media is very important to find new parenting ideas to try out.
But the poll’s authors say that new parents should take the advice they find with a grain of salt.
Mott Poll Co-director Sarah Clark said, many parents turn to online communities to discuss parenting challenges or exchange advice because this method seems faster and easier than asking a health professional. Finding tips in this space can have benefits, but parents should always remember that every family’s experience is different and not everything they hear online may be correct or the right thing for their child.
In the survey, most mothers and over two-thirds of fathers of children aged 4 and younger turned to social media for parenting advice or to share their experiences.
Many parents said that, social media makes them feel less alone and helps them learn what not to do, while some said that it helps them decide whether to buy certain products or not.
One in ten parents of young children who use social media also defined it as very useful in deciding when to take their child to the doctor.
But Clark realized that with young children, it is usually prudent to contact the child’s primary care provider regarding any questions.
Telehealth visits and messaging through patient portals, are efficient ways for parents to ask for professional guidance.
In spite of seeking out advice on social media in growing numbers, most parents identified at least one aspect of social media sharing which concerned them.
Almost 80% felt other parents overshare by bragging about their child or sharing too often. Meanwhile, over 60% thought parents may give personal information which could identify the child’s location or embarrass the child later.
Some said they have seen parents post information which is false, while more than a quarter have noticed some parents sharing unnecessary photos of the child’s body.
In a news release Clark said, Parents acknowledge concerns related to sharing too much information about their children on social media. Families should consider whether their child may one day be embarrassed about having personal information shared without their consent.
Another issue the poll raised is when parents are sharing information which are inaccurate, either knowingly or unknowingly.
That’s even more problematic when considering this poll statistic: Two in five parents think it’s difficult to differentiate good versus bad advice on social media.
Clark says that, there are so many decisions to make about the best way to care for children during the infant and toddler years, which can be an exciting and overwhelming time.
Social media is an easy way for parents to find 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.
RELATED STORY: Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for more on parenting young children.
