It’s a busy world with a tremendous amount of noise. Your work, kids, and pets are always pulling you in unexpected directions leaving you exhausted and praying for the weekend by Tuesday. It’s no different for teenagers. School and homework provide constant challenges that can leave them mentally fatigued. The escape route for stressed-out young adults often lands somewhere in the social media space. While internet use and social media have several benefits for teenagers, there are risks that they might not be aware of.
Due to a lack of long-term studies, the jury is still out on whether social media is directly damaging to the mental health of teens. However, some smaller studies have shown that teens are at risk of cyberbullying through the use of social media. Cyberbullying can cause Depression, anxiety, and an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts.
Take a moment to recall your awkward teenage years and the social pressures you encountered. You at least had the comfort of knowing that it stayed at school and did not follow you home. Social Media has removed that safe space. Bullying can now infiltrate the safety of a loving home environment. Talking to your children about these problems is essential.
Let your teens know it’s okay to take a break from the click counts, Instagram likes, and retweets and focus on their mental health. Remind them they are loved and appreciated.
So remember, whether you have kids or not, it is everyone’s responsibility to be respectful to others online and offline, and be mindful of how those you care about are using social media.