Social media shapes how modern teens interact, express creativity, and see the world. However, it can also contribute to high levels of emotional distress, poor self-esteem, and depression. If your child is experiencing the negative effects of social media, there is help. At Ohio Center for Adolescent Wellness (OHCAW), we can help your son or daughter engage with social media in healthier ways and gain a balanced perspective.
Let us help your child see things with a new lens and feel good about themselves again. Find depression treatment for adolescents here at OHCAW.
How You Can Help Your Teens Get the Right Perspective
No matter the age, when people have a skewed perspective about things, it can lead to difficulties. When it comes to social media and teens specifically, a skewed perspective often results in:
- Validation-seeking behavior: Teens begin to depend on external approval rather than intrinsic confidence
- Distorted body image: Filters, edited photos, and curated moments create unrealistic standards for beauty and lifestyle, making many teens feel insecure
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) – Seeing friends be involved in things that perhaps they weren’t invited to or weren’t able to attend can lead to loneliness, anxiety, and depression
As parents, do your best to enforce limits on screen time. Though challenging, there are apps that can help you put the necessary parameters in place. Make use of apps that block certain social media platforms or allow you to remotely monitor their time.
When your child is engaged in social media, help gain a healthy perspective by:
- Encouraging them to follow positive and uplifting accounts – Help teens focus on accounts that help them develop a hobby or skill, or accounts that are body-positive.
- Discuss the difference between online personas and reality – Remind them that social media is often used as a marketing tool, and not everything they see of someone is a real representation of who they are, but of a specific image that helps promote their business.
Engaging in social media can be a positive experience for individuals when they’re mindful of how they use it. Ask your teen to check in with themselves after they’ve stopped scrolling. Do they feel motivated and happy or sad and anxious? Getting your adolescents to assess their own emotional journey with social media can help them make better decisions regarding the accounts they follow.
The Effects of Social Media on Teens: Balancing Online and Offline Life
While social media is not inherently bad, finding balance is absolutely necessary. Overuse will lead to mental health challenges, but intentional engagement can have a positive impact. Encourage your child to engage in real-life socializing whenever possible. This is essential for their personal growth and physical health.
So How Much is Too Much?
Recognizing the signs of what a teen struggling with social media use may look like is key to getting the professional support they may need. Things to look out for include:
- Increased anxiety or mood swings after using social media
- Los of interest in “real life” interactions
- Stress around likes and comments or looking to be validated through people’s engagement with their content
- Staying up late to scroll or sleep being disrupted due to screen usage
When life begins to revolve around social media or you rarely see your child look up from their phone, it may be time to seek professional, non-judgmental treatment like that of OHCAW.
Call OHCAW Today and Develop a Healthier Digital Life for Your Teen
As a parent, guiding your children toward healthy habits makes all the difference. One of those healthy habits is creating boundaries around your digital life. Start by leading by example. Make plenty of time to engage with your teen without your phone in sight and seek professional support from OHCAW.
We offer specialized therapy programs designed to help teens manage a myriad of mental health concerns and build resilience for a better life. Call 888.890.7141 today or submit our online contact form and a member of our team will reach out.