Here to Help is a wonderful series from the NY Times and (with permission) I like to share anything that is relevant to Teens and their parents. Enjoy!
Public health experts, educators and policymakers have become increasingly concerned about the potential effects of social media on the mental health of teenagers. While the summer can leave teens with extra free time to spend on their phones, it can also serve as an opportunity to reset family social media rules. Here's how to help your kids cut down on screen time.
Get phones out of the bedroom. Have adolescents put devices elsewhere overnight, such as. a communal charging station. Studies have found that screens can significantly disrupt sleep, and teens and tweens need eight to 10 hours every night.
Focus on in-person activities. Summer provides unique opportunities for unsupervised, in-person play, said Lenore Skenazy, the president of Let Grow, a nonprofit that promotes childhood independence and resilience. Making time for unstructured play allows children to solve problems, resolve boredom on their own, make friends and figure out what interests them most. This might mean sending your kids to summer programs that offer plenty of phone-free time, or building in time for them to get together with friends while leaving devices at home.
Be upfront about your rules. When it comes to limiting kids' social media use, tell your children exactly how much screen time they have each day and put time limits on apps. There are not clear guidelines about how much social media time is too much, said Dr. Jessi Gold, a psychiatrist and chief wellness officer with. theUniversity. of Tennessee system. It may help to look for signs of problematic use, such as children becoming irritable when they stop using. adevice, or their social media use interfering with other activities.
Help teens tune in to how social media makes them feel. Dr. Gold wants parents to help young people develop skills to use social media mindfully and in moderation. For example, work with kids to identify how certain content is making them feel. "You could say: 'Hey, let's do an experiment. For the next week, instead of just mindlessly scrolling TikTok, pay attention to how you feel,'" she said. Is your teen clenching her jaw or fist after scrolling, or feeling sad or uncomfortable? Encourage your child to jot down those feelings in the moment, she said, and find time to talk about them later.
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