How To Manage Your Teen's Social Media Fixation?

Dr. Emily Edlynn, mom columnist, says that parenting around social media brings very challenging obstacles that parents usually do not know, especially in raising a teenager, as they don't exactly know what it's like to be a teenager growing up in a social media world.

Social media now plays a significant role in teens' lives, which parents cannot realistically ban forever. Therefore, parents must know how to limit their child's social media usage. Young ones using different social media platforms risk mental health as there is content they would feel bad after reading or seeing.

Using too much social media can be labeled as addiction. It is a behavioral disorder in which teens become enthralled by social media and cannot lessen their consumption despite having negative outcomes or consequences. Teens usually feel good when using social media as they think they are exercising their freedom, but it actually reduces physical and social engagement, leading to losing friendships and having a negative impact on school or academic performance.

According to Paradigm Treatment, teens check their phones approximately 150 times daily. Excessive access to social media substantially affects them, causing severe self-esteem issues and acquiring anxiety.

Parents helping their teens with Social Media addiction

Young ones commonly use social media as a coping mechanism, but little did they know that it can quickly affect them negatively as they will feel even more empty and frustrated. Parents can help their teens by supporting them and being with them when they feel sad. They should also be encouraged to meditate, take long walks alone, or consult with a therapist instead of diverting their attention to social media.

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Teach teens other methods to effectively cope with issues and help them find a healthy perspective to discuss their problems. When educating them on the proper method where they can effectively cope with difficulties, parents must also limit and manage their screen time. It must be clear to them that the internet is a tool with online media as a source of both entertainment and information. Hence, when social media preoccupies teens almost every hour of the day, adults must think of where teens can divert their focus.

Teens who use social media sometimes forget the real essence of the internet and online media. Excessive usage led them to risk their mental health as well as their physical health. Moreover, parents must help young ones to balance their time with social media and their responsibilities as someone who lives outside the media.

Furthermore, parents must educate themselves in terms of social media to also know what things are putting their child in danger; you can only do such by familiarizing yourself, PineGrove Day Camp says.

Keeping the young ones safe at all times

The main key for teenagers to manage their time on social media is discussing the positive and negative experiences or consequences they may encounter. Effects should not always be focused on negatives when asking your teenager what they enjoy while using social media.

Openly talk about inappropriate content while there is also content that can encourage or motivate them, per Reach Out.

Related Article: Study: Too Much Screen Time is Harmful to Children's Overall Health