In our tech-savvy age, it is incredibly difficult to avoid social media platforms and the devices which offer us interrupted time catching up on our news feeds, but, as we all know, this is not an issue which affects only adults.
Issues regarding our children's reliance on their smart phones and tablets haven't been far from the headlines in recent years, and while limiting their use is advised, very few parents can assert they implement these limitations 100% of the time.
Recent findings may, however, give parents pause for thought when it comes to their children's use of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
According to a recent report from the Office of National Statistics, young people who use social networking sites for more than three hours a day are more likely to suffer from mental health issues.
The report indicates that while 12% of children who spend no time on social media exhibit symptoms of mental ill-health, that figure jumps to 27% for those who use social networking sites for more than three hours a day.
However, while 56% of children report spending three hours or more a day on social media, only 11% suffered from mental issues.
Shining a spotlight on the implications of excessive social media use, experts in the field explained that a young person may stunt their emotional and social development by regularly engaging in a virtual world.
Child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr Hayley Van Zwanberg, of the Priory Group asserts: "Children's social skills and abilities to make small talk and actively listen, and develop empathy, are affected
"Children are totally immersed in a virtual world which is damaging both to the way they see themselves and the way they perceive the real world; some young children are finding it hard to unpick reality from fantasy," she continued.
The report indicated that girls are more likely to spend an inordinate amount of time on the sites, with 11% of girls placed in the top category for time spent engaging online compared to 5% of boys.
With previous research proving there exists a correlation between excessive screen time and emotional distress, anxiety and depression, the latest research asserts there is a 'clear association' between excessive social media use and mental health problems.
