Navigating Kids' Digital Landscape: Balancing Social Media and Mental Well-being
Uncover effective strategies for parents to navigate the digital landscape by balancing social media use with protecting their children’s mental health, fostering healthier online and offline lives.
Navigating Kids' Digital Landscape: Balancing Social Media and Mental Well-being
Date: August 28, 2023
Author: Kim Hunter-Bryant, LCSW, PMH-C, Program Manager of Mental Health Partnerships Clinical Services
Kim leads and creates programs to promote behavioral health hope, recovery, and resilience through education and support to families of adults and youth with behavioral health challenges and training for providers and community groups.
As the summer winds down and thoughts of school move to the fore, many parents begin to consider how to reduce their kids’ social media usage. With alarming headlines on youth mental health, it’s natural to worry. According to the National Institutes of Health, “the degree of social media usage in children correlates with depression, anxiety, and perceived stress level.”
A Fall 2022 Pew Research Center survey reported that social media is a top concern among parents with children under 18. Four in ten U.S. parents expressed high levels of concern about their children struggling with anxiety or depression. As kids immerse themselves in the digital world, their mental and emotional well-being deserves close attention.
Warning signs of excessive media use may include:
- Decline in academic performance
- Withdrawal from real-life interactions
- Increased irritability without screens
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Neglect of hobbies
- Time management issues
Parents can take proactive steps to support healthy habits:
- Encourage open communication about screen time and its effects
- Set clear screen time limits and create tech-free zones
- Promote offline activities like sports, arts, and hobbies
- Share personal experiences and validate children’s emotions
Parents, here are three practical ways to stay informed and support your child’s digital well-being:
1. Online Resources and News Outlets: Stay informed with digital parenting platforms and blogs. Subscribe to newsletters or join parent communities to keep up with trends and advice.
Recommended sources:
2. Create a Family Media Plan: Use this customizable tool to guide media use at home with boundaries that grow with your child.
3. Attend Workshops and Webinars: Learn from experts and connect with other parents through local and virtual events focused on online safety and youth mental health.
4. Engage with Social Media Platforms: Create your own accounts to explore how platforms work, what content is being consumed, and how to spot risks.
Take it a step further: Attend our course “A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Mental Health” for tools and knowledge to support your child in today’s digital world.
Allied Family Network’s “A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Mental Health” equips parents and caregivers with essential skills to support children’s emotional and mental well-being through case studies, discussions, and practical tools.
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