Is your child a social media addict?
Is there a battle to get them off their phone or laptop? Do they seem sad and isolated when you take it away from them for even 5 minutes? It’s not uncommon these days.
We’ve all heard of the studies on how kids are addicted to screens, but what can we do about it? This article will tell you everything you need to know about children and social media addiction so that you can start doing something about it!
1. The internet has become a breeding ground for bullying, negativity, and social media
2. Social media is addicting – children are constantly checking their phones to see what’s going on with friends
3. Social media can make you feel inadequate or inferior when you compare your life to others
4. It’s easier than ever before for strangers to contact children online
5. Parents should be aware of what their child is doing on the internet so they can monitor it and talk about it if necessary
6. Children need constant guidance from parents in order to avoid being negatively influenced by social media
A new study has found that nearly one in four children is addicted to smartphones and other mobile devices, while some psychiatrists say the number could be far greater. The survey of more than 1,500 parents with children 18 and younger also revealed that many parents don’t set time limits.
Also, did you know that social media might trigger children’s anxiety and depression, an article reference from the Washington post? There have been many studies done linking the use of social media with increased levels of anxiety in children, especially in younger age groups.
A study was conducted by researchers at Boston University who found that when they surveyed over 2,600 middle-schoolers between the ages of 12-14 about their social media usage, they found that those who were more active on sites like Twitter or Instagram reported higher levels of both depression and anxiety than students who used these services less often.
Moms, it’s hard to handle our kid’s screen time. We have all been there. We’re constantly worried about the negative impacts of too much screen time on our children: obesity, ADHD, sleep deprivation, social media addiction. It feels like we’re stuck in a lose-lose situation: if we restrict their screen time, they might rebel and spend even more time on screens when we’re not looking; if we let them have free rein, we’re afraid of all the potential harm that could come their way.
So what’s a conscientious mom to do?
Here are four tips for managing your child’s screen time without causing a rift in your relationship.
