Digital Smarts - Girls’ Confidence Can Drop From Social Media Exposure

Technology and social media are contributing to self-doubt, isolation and vulnerability among female students, according to The Girls' Index, a survey of 10,000 5th- to 12th-grade girls conducted by the nonprofit Ruling Our Experiences. The report found 46% of girls entering high school say they don't believe they are smart enough for their dream careers, while students' confidence rate drops between fifth and ninth grades. Other takeaways from the survey include:

• 30% of the respondents reported having been bullied or made fun of on social media. 19% said they have made fun of someone else on those forums.
• Many of the girls who were the heaviest social media users struggle in making connections with peers, and they tend to have fewer outside interests
• Girls who spent the most time using technology are 5 times more likely to say they are sad or depressed nearly every day. Girls who engaged with technology the most were also the least likely to be involved in activities such as clubs, sports, band, music, and theater.
• Girls who spent the most time on technology are the least likely to say they have supportive friends and supportive adults to talk to about serious issues.
• 75% of the 12th grade girls who took the survey said  “most students their age send sexually explicit photos.” And more than half of 8th grade girls surveyed had been asked to send a sexually explicit photo.