Social Media Helps Parents Bond Better with Children

A latest study suggests that social networking may help parents and children strengthen their relationship.

The study surveyed 491 youngsters and their parents and asked them about their social network use and feelings of bonding. It found that children having good communication with their parents through social media were less depressed and aggressive and showed "prosocial behavior."

The research conducted by Brigham Young University found that of those surveyed, half the teens said they communicated with parents through social media and 16 percent said they had daily interactions with parents via social networking.

"You can do a lot on social networking sites. Your kid might post a picture, and you might show support by liking it or making a nice comment, or a status update that does the same kind of thing. It gives more opportunities to give positive feedback or show affection," said lead study author Dr Sarah Coyne of the School of Family Life. She further said that social media enhances the parent-child relationship.

However, she warned that too much exposure to social media may result in a negative impact. The study showed that children who did not interact with their parents at all (even through the social media) showed misbehavior, increased aggression and low connection feeling. It further found that some youngsters spent as much as eight hours a day on the Internet, which led to depression and alienation sometimes.

Dr Coyne suggested that parents should take active interest in learning the uses of social media be it Twitter, Facebook or Reditt.