Parents evaluate screen time during Mental Health Month

ARKANSAS, USA — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and experts say screen time—a major part of many families’ routines—deserves a balanced conversation.

A recent survey by Lingokids found that 74% of parents feel guilty about how much time their children spend on screens. 

While social media and screen time is often blamed for mental health struggles, some mental health professionals say screen use isn’t inherently negative.

Saige Small, a local Mental Health Treatment Court coordinator, said the issue isn’t necessarily the screens themselves, but how they’re used.

“With social media, essentially what we’re looking at is excessive use has the highest likelihood of a negative mental health impact, particularly for adolescents, just because [they] don’t have the same brain development as an adult user,” Small said.

Apps like TikTok and Snapchat are designed to trigger dopamine responses, which can lead users to feel anxious or rejected when that stimulation is missing. Small said social media often encourages unhealthy comparisons and negative thought patterns.

However, Small noted that social media has also created space for connection, particularly during isolating times like the COVID-19 pandemic. For people who struggle with face-to-face interactions, online communities can offer support and a creative outlet.

“I have several friends, family members, clients, who do use social media as a way to engage with other people around the world,” Small said. “Especially in the mental health world, we have certain diagnoses that impact people’s ability to interact on a face-to-face value. If they still can seek that social connection in a positive way through social media, then that’s a fantastic way to not feel isolated. Social media can do both. It can make us feel connected but can also make us feel isolated. It all depends on how we’re engaging with it.”

To help create healthier habits, Small recommends setting time limits on apps, using block or unfollow tools when needed, and checking in with yourself about how certain content makes you feel.

She emphasized that screen time doesn’t have to be all or nothing—it’s about setting boundaries that work for you and your family.

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, Small encourages families to evaluate their habits and consider what kind of screen time balance supports their well-being.