Is social media bad for kids? Canadian kids weigh in

TEXT: Is social media bad for kids? Canadian kids weigh in. Here’s a sample of the opinions they shared with CBC Kids News. DATE STAMP: Nov. 1, 2021
CARD 2 IMAGE: Thumbs up TEXT: Cameron Age: 11 Is social media bad for kids? I personally think that it is unreasonable for anyone under the age of 13 to be using social media like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook etc.
CARD3 IMAGE: Thumbs down TEXT: Lilan Age: 14 Is social media bad for kids? No. Kids need their freedom!!!! It isn't fair. Most grown-ups do social media, why shouldn't kids? Too much social media is bad, but a few hours? I don't think so. And if they avoid bad and stick to appropriate stuff on social media, I think we should ALL be allowed.
IMAGE: compromise emoji TEXT: Saija Age: 11 Is social media bad for kids? In my opinion, I think that social media is good and bad. It's good because, say I'm not having a good day, so then I go to check my social media and there will be a lot of positive things that make me smile and laugh. Then other times there will be stuff that just makes me even more sad.
IMAGE: Thumbs up TEXT: Luke Age: 11 Is social media bad for kids? I think social media is bad for kids and they should meet friends the old-fashioned way, by meeting in person and not online. It's even kind of bad for adults, the kind who just skulk around and stare at their phones forever. Technology is not good for society or people's lifestyles, much less kids and adults.
IMAGE: Thumbs down TEXT: Natalia Age: 13 Is social media bad for kids? I think that it is not because kids in this day and age have grown up in an environment where everyone was on social media. This means that kids will most likely feel worse about themselves without it. That's because kids' friends will most likely talk about it all the time, making kids feel less than.
IMAGE: Thumbs up TEXT: Audrey Age: 10 Is social media bad for kids? I think social media is bad for kids because it may make some children think that their lives are not good. Many influencers on social media platforms make their lives seem perfect when they aren't always that way in real life.
IMAGE: Compromise TEXT: Kari Age: 13 Is social media bad for kids? This is just my personal opinion, but it really does just depend on what comes up when they use social media. Sometimes challenges that are dangerous and graphic things can pop up. I personally use Tik Tok, but nothing bad so far has come up. Again, it just really depends on what comes up on your feed, and what you search up.
IMAGE: Thumbs up TEXT: Antoine Age: 10 Is social media bad for kids? It is kind of bad because, you know, even a little bit of social media can add up, like how
IMAGE: Thumbs down TEXT: Emma Age: 11 Is social media bad for kids? I don't really think it's bad for kids. I think it's the people on the apps with bad intentions. I think it sometimes helps kids through hard times.
IMAGE: Thumbs up TEXT: Ivy Age: 10 Is social media bad for kids? I think that social media is bad for kids because if they focus too much on social media they might not concentrate on studying or other things they are supposed to do. Also, some kids get bullied on social media, and that will affect their health negatively.
IMAGE: Compromise TEXT: Kalyn Age: 12 Is social media bad for kids? I think that social media really depends on how the kid uses it. If they use it to view inappropriate content and bad influencers, then social media can be harmful. If the kid makes videos and gets complimented, they can feel proud and happy, which is good.
PHOTO CREDIT: (Philip Street/CBC) TEXT: Every week CBC Kids News will ask a new why or why not question. Respond to the question for a chance to have your answer featured on our website. Have thoughts, questions or ideas to share? Email us at cbckidsnews@cbc.ca