ABSTRACT
Children are growing up in a context that is increasingly characterized by ubiquitous connectivity, which has distinct implications for their development. The aim of the current chapter is to provide a brief overview of the various ways through which media use has been related to children's mental health and (social) well-being. Specifically, we will discuss how media may constitute a positive force in social contexts, as it fosters greater connection among friends and family members. However, this increased connectivity can also create additional sources of stress, as children are subjected to heightened scrutiny from themselves and from others. Finally, we will discuss how the focus on idealized appearances that is perpetuated by many social networking sites can have adverse consequences for children's (appearance-related) self-understanding.
