Social Media Use for Teens in Military Families

Question: Since military families move around a lot and children miss their friends, how much time is healthy for kids to spend on social media talking to friends they miss? 

Answer: Thank you for asking this question about social media usage for children in military families. Moving can be hard, especially for children and teens when moving takes them far from friends. Social media is one way children and teens can stay connected.  

When it comes to how much time is healthy, there isn't a specific amount of screen time that is recommended for teens. Teens do many different things on social media, including messaging a friend, watching short videos for entertainment, or sending posts back and forth in a group chat, and the same amount of time can be a very different experience depending on the activity. 30 minutes spent video chatting with a friend is not the same as 30 minutes of scrolling. Rather than sticking to an exact time limit, it can be helpful to think about the quality of digital interactions and how those interactions support wellbeing. For children and teens in military families, using social media to maintain friendships may help them to feel connected and supported when moving to a new place. 

Social Media Use Among Youth in Military Families 

Research on social media use among youth in military families specifically is limited. One study of 11- to 18-year-olds in military families found that using electronic communication to make new friends was linked with more chances to feel supported, cared for, and connected. At the same time, the study found that more frequent electronic communication overall was linked with fewer chances to build those supportive relationships. In other words, social media can help teens find new connections after a move, but it should not replace opportunities to meet people, join activities and build friendships in their new community. 

Social Media Use to Stay Connected with Friends After Moving 

Other studies, not specific to military families, have looked at how children and teens use social media to connect with friends who live in other places. One study of children and young teens who had recently moved found that they communicated online most often with friends they already knew before the move, while friendships formed after the move involved more face-to-face time or calls and text messages. This suggests that youth may use social media to strengthen and maintain preexisting friendships after moving.  

A study of international college students found that those who used social media to initiate contact with peers in their new country had higher life satisfaction. Using social media mainly to stay in touch with those from their home country, however, was related to lower well-being and adaptation to their new environment.  

Together, these findings suggest that using social media to maintain preexisting relationships should be balanced with using social media to make new connections in the new location. 

Tips for Staying Connected After a Move 

• Connect meaningfully, not just passively. Consider ways to use technology to connect meaningfully with friends in other places, such as FaceTiming or playing an online game together. 
• Plan around time zones. Schedule calls or gaming sessions that protect both friends’ sleep. The  Glossary of Digital Media Platforms shows how to adjust app settings, including silencing notifications during sleep hours. 
• Balance old friendships with new ones. Make sure staying in touch does not crowd out joining activities and meeting peers at the new school community. See the “Crowding Out” C of the 5 Cs of Media Use to learn more. 

References  

• Joep Hofhuis, Christina, Lutz, F., Karin von Reventlow, & Rohmann, A. (2023). The effect of social network sites on international students' acculturation, adaptation, and wellbeing. Frontiers in Communication, 8.  
• Landers-Potts, M. A., O’Neal, C. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2017). Electronic Communication Use and Socio-Emotional Well-Being Among Military Youth. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(12), 3266–3277.  
• Wendt, R., & Langmeyer, A. N. (2021). Computer-Mediated Communication and Child/Adolescent Friendship Quality after Residential Relocation. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(11), 2890–2902.  

Age: 10-17 

Topics: Screen time, social media, military families 

Role: Pediatrician/Clinician