“Shocking Truth: The Hidden Danger Stealing Your Daughter’s Confidence”

A concerning trend among young girls is the decline in self-confidence, with social media being a significant contributing factor.

According to a study conducted by Ruling Our Experiences (ROX), there has been a dramatic increase in social media usage among young girls. In 2017, only 9% of 5th grade girls spent 6 or more hours daily on social media. Today, that number has skyrocketed to 46%.

ROX shared on Instagram, “The Girls’ Index™ found there is a relationship between confidence and social media use. Lower levels of social media use correlate with increased reports of confidence among girls. Increased time spent on social media is correlated with reports of lower levels of confidence.”

The organization further elaborated that “girls who spend the most amount of time on social media (10+ hours per day) are 25% less likely to describe themselves as confident than those who spend the least amount of time on social media (under 2 hours per day).”

This excessive social media use is also linked to deteriorating mental health among young girls.

NYU professor Jonathan Haidt noted earlier this year, “For girls, their mental health from 2000 to 2010, 2011 is actually pretty stable. Then, all of a sudden, around 2013, we have a very sharp curve where the girls get very, very depressed and especially [turn to] self-harm. Self-harm rates go up more than 100%. For the pre-teen girls, it’s closer to 200%, so something was happening to girls, and it seems to be related to social media.”

While everyone grapples with self-confidence issues to some extent, social media tends to exacerbate these insecurities.

However, it’s important to remember that our worth isn’t determined by social media metrics. As stated in Psalm 139, God knows everything about us, including “when I sit and when I rise” and can even “perceive my thoughts from afar.”

For those struggling with self-confidence, verses 13-14 offer a powerful reminder:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Familyguide previously shared some strategies to manage social media use and screen time:

• Implement Screen Time Limits: Set clear boundaries for different screen-based activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests no more than one hour of quality screen time daily for children aged 2-5, and no screen time for those under 18 months.
• Establish Screen-Free Areas: Create zones in your home where screens are not allowed, such as dining areas or bedrooms. This helps protect family time and sleep quality.
• Lead by Example: Children often mimic adult behavior. Demonstrate healthy screen habits by reducing your own screen time and engaging in offline activities.
• Offer Engaging Alternatives: Encourage participation in non-screen activities like reading, outdoor play, arts and crafts, or board games. Ensure these options are easily accessible and appealing.
• Schedule Screen Time: Instead of allowing unrestricted access, incorporate screen time into your child’s daily routine. For example, permit screen use after homework or chores are completed.