How Is Facebook Bad for Kids' Efficiency?

Stats on Studying

• Although there isn't an overabundance of statistics on the impact that Facebook has on young adults' studying habits, an Ohio State University study of college students claims that avid Facebook users spend one to five hours per week on schoolwork while nonusers spend 11 to 15 hours. While the stats may prove slightly different for younger teens -- who typically have less overall homework than college students -- time spent of Facebook can take away from time spent studying. Does this mean that your child is rendered inefficient every time that he "likes" a friend's Facebook post? Most likely not. While social media use may detract from your child's studying time, it's not likely -- especially if you monitor it -- to overtake his life.

Top Time Drain?

• Of all the social media sites, Facebook -- according to the researchers at Pew -- ranks as number one when it comes to time spent online. According to Common Sense Media's statistics, 51 percent of kids between 13- and 17-years-old use a social networking site at least once a day. Of these kids, 34 percent visit social media sites two or more times per day. The more times that your child visits Facebook, the less time she is spending on other pursuits. If your child moves into that 34 percent group that frequents social media sites two-plus times per day, she moves away from efficient actions.

Parenting the Social Media User

• When it comes down to it, you are in charge of how much time your child spends on social media sites such as Facebook. If your child seems inefficient in his school work, doesn't want to study or is nixing after-school activities in favor of Facebook time, it's your job to turn around his behavior. Monitoring your child's Facebook use and putting a limit to his posting, messaging and general browsing can put a wedge in the negative effects of being plugged in on social media.

Praising the Positives

• While Facebook can detract from other activities that your child might engage in, it isn't entirely bad. When adding up the negative effects, it's key to put your child's overall social media use into perspective. Common Sense Media reports that teens are likely to feel that social media sites -- such as Facebook -- have a positive effect on their emotional lives. In the survey, "Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives," Common Sense Media notes that 29 percent of teens say that social networking sites make them less shy, 28 percent feel more outgoing as a result of repeated use and 19 percent claim that they are more popular. Although this doesn't speak directly to the child's efficiency, an emotional sense of well-being can contribute to a higher productivity level, making the negative effects of Facebook not as bad as they might seem.