bullying, body image concerns and other social pressures.
“The reality is that social media is part of the world we live in, and it’s not going away,” says Mari Radzik, a clinical psychologist in the division of adolescent and young adult medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“We can’t just take away our kids’ phones or computers. It’s about figuring out how we can guide them on using and navigating these tools,” Radzik said in a hospital news release.
RELATED: How Social Media Has Become Directly Linked To Severe Mental Illness
How to help your loved one
The first step to helping your loved one is recognizing the signs of a social media-related problem. Some signs of social media-related problems include changes in mood, eating and sleep habits, as well as isolation. In such cases, you might want to begin a discussion about their social media use by using “I” instead of “you” statements, Radzik suggests.
Instead of saying, “You’re on Instagram way too much and that’s bad for you,” try, “I noticed this and I’m really worried. Can we talk about it?” If your loved one doesn’t want to talk at that moment, let them know you’ll be there when they feel ready.
If you’re certain that social media is affecting your loved one’s mental health, suggest they take a break or even delete their account.
For parents of young teens:
“Berating will make a young person shut down,” Radzik says. “Or sometimes parents will dig through their child’s social media accounts and that can feel invasive. The approach has to come from a place of caring and concern, rather than something punitive or accusatory.”
Parents should check in frequently and pay attention to their teens’ media use, says Sarah Voyer, lead social worker in the division of psychiatry at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Parents may want to ask their teens how they use social media — do they share updates with their friends, follow certain celebrities or influencers, or are they seeking some kind of advice or help — and how they feel when they use it, Voyer adds.
“There are some kids who can break the cycle, and sometimes it takes the parent to help with that,” Radzik notes.
Before a child begins to use social media, parents should set parameters, according to Radzik.
“It can be problematic when children are given regular access to cellphones at an early age,” she says. “I understand the need to use it at times, especially age-appropriate material. But as parents, we need to encourage a curiosity of the world around them and use creativity tools rather than rely on social media all the time.”
For more information on mental health and locating treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST through the SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727).