APA guide for parents aims to help teens choose video content mindfully

Teens often spend hours daily watching videos online, but parents should consider how the content affects their well-being more than the platform or the amount of time they spend online, according to a new parent guide developed by the American Psychological Association.

"Teenagers are in a critical stage of development where they may be especially sensitive to content involving violence, self-harming behaviors or unrealistic body standards, which could have long-term effects on their mental health, their relationships and how they form their identity," said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D.

"Parents can help their teens make thoughtful choices about the videos they watch and create a healthy balance between time spent online and activities essential to their well-being, such as sleep and in-person connection."

Healthy Video Viewing: A Guide for Parents of Teens translates decades of psychological research on adolescent development into practical advice parents can use to understand the effects of different types of content and start conversations with their teens about their video viewing habits. The guide also addresses how parents can help teens navigate influencer content, AI-generated videos, and advertising that is integrated into video platforms.

The development of the parent guide was supported by YouTube.

"YouTube shares the APA's dedication to support teens' healthy development and well-being as they navigate today's digital world," said Garth Graham, MD, global director for YouTube Health. "We hope this guide helps parents cut through the noise and incorporate evidence-based tips for managing screen time and building healthy digital habits with their teens."

Research shows that while avoiding excessive screen time is important, each individual's development is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all rule for how much time teens should spend online.

The guide recommends that parents encourage their teens to experiment with brief breaks from viewing video content, and then discuss how they feel after the breaks. This may help teens transition to content that promotes social relationships, such as watching cooking videos while making recipes with friends.

Key recommendations for parents include:

• starting conversations from a place of curiosity rather than criticism, positioning teens as the experts about their digital experiences;
• discussing how algorithms, artificial intelligence and editing techniques may be shaping the videos teens watch, and the importance of verification;
• helping teens understand and recognize content that triggers emotional responses; and
• modeling healthy digital habits at home.

The guide also recommends that parents ask non-judgmental questions about the videos their teens watch, while acknowledging that teens are likely to know more about certain platforms or creators than they do—which makes teens more receptive to guidance in other areas. This also shows teens they can think critically about content on their own while knowing they can turn to their parents for guidance.

"It's never too late to start these conversations," according to Evans. "Research shows that even older teens benefit when their parents show genuine curiosity about their lives."

The parent guide is an extension of APA's recommendations for healthy teen video viewing, released in November 2024.

Provided by American Psychological Association