Social Media Validation: Understanding the Impact of Likes & Hearts on Children

In the current digital era, social media platforms have become a ubiquitous component of our lives, particularly among youngsters and adolescents. The emergence of social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter has brought the significance of social validation to the forefront of our attention. In particular, the likes and hearts received on social media posts have become the novel way of validation, especially among young individuals.

However, the influence of social validation on the mental health and well-being of children remains a topic of concern for many parents and educators. Social media validation can have both affirmative and adverse impacts on children. In this article, we will delve into the effect of likes and hearts on youngsters and what measures parents and educators can take to assist children in using social media in a salubrious way.

The Effect of Likes and Hearts on Children

Likes and hearts on social media posts can have a momentous impact on the mental health and well-being of children. According to a study published in the Psychological Science journal, receiving likes and positive comments on social media posts activates the reward center in the brain, resulting in the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical that creates a sense of pleasure and satisfaction.


However, the study also found that the absence of likes and positive comments on social media posts can have an adverse effect on the brain, causing feelings of sadness, anxiety, and even depression. Children who do not receive adequate likes and positive comments on social media posts may feel left out, lonely, and excluded.

Moreover, the pressure to obtain more likes and hearts on social media posts can lead to a constant need for validation and approval, which can have negative consequences on children’s self-esteem, confidence, and overall mental health. Children who base their self-worth on social media validation may feel inferior and inadequate if they do not receive enough likes and positive comments.

The Role of Parents and Educators

Parents and educators can play a pivotal role in helping children use social media in a healthy way. Here are some tips to aid children in navigating the realm of social media:


Engage in a Dialogue with Your Children: It is crucial to have an open and candid conversation with your children about social media and its impact on mental health. Urge your children to share their experiences, sentiments, and concerns about social media.

Monitor Your Children’s Social Media Activity: Keep a watchful eye on your children’s social media activity and establish appropriate limits on screen time. Ensure that your children are not exposed to inappropriate content or cyberbullying.

Promote Positive Offline Activities: Motivate your children to engage in positive offline activities such as sports, music, art, or volunteering. Encouraging offline activities can aid children in building self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of purpose outside of social media.

Teach Your Children about Digital Citizenship: Instruct your children about digital citizenship and responsible social media usage. Encourage your children to use social media in a courteous, positive, and secure manner.

Set an Example: Children learn by emulating; hence it is imperative to be a positive role model when it comes to social media usage. Model responsible social media behavior, limit your own screen time, and prioritize face-to-face communication and offline activities.

In conclusion, social media validation can have both affirmative and adverse impacts on children’s mental health and well-being. The likes and hearts received on social media posts can create a sense of pleasure and satisfaction, but the absence of likes and positive comments can cause feelings of sadness, anxiety, and even depression.

Parents and educators can assist children in using social media in a salubrious way by having open and candid conversations, monitoring social media activity, promoting offline activities, teaching digital citizenship, and setting an example.