As students return to school, parents have become increasingly concerned about the impact of social media and the internet on their children's lives.
A survey conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health revealed that over half of parents now consider mental health issues a top concern for their children.
This marks a shift from a decade ago when childhood obesity held the top spot.
It can actually be a problem
Screen time and social media use have taken the first and second positions on parents' list of concerns, with around two-thirds of parents worried about their children's excessive device use.
The pandemic has heightened concerns about screen time, and experts advise parents to monitor technology usage and consider setting limits.
Mental health also remains a significant concern, with parents expressing worries about depression, anxiety, stress, and bullying.
Additionally, school violence, access to mental health services, and the effects of parental stress are among the issues that parents are increasingly mindful of.
While there are differences in how parents from varying income groups perceive these concerns, several topics remain consistent across the board.
