Social media and mental health
It is important to remember the positives about connecting online, as well as the negatives and to take a balanced approach.
It is impossible to police everything that children and young people do online but it is vital to help them understand how to manage their online lives in a positive way:
- Sometimes spending time online, particularly on social media can lead to people comparing themselves to others which can negatively impact their self-esteem. If you find this happening to your child they could try limiting the amount of time they spend on these sites. You could also encourage them to take a longer break from any sites they find unhelpful.
- They may feel pressure in taking part in online conversations or checking their social media accounts which can cause feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Spending lots of time at night checking social media may disrupt sleeping patterns. To promote a good sleep routine it is recommended that you don’t use phones, tablets or computers 2 hours before bed.
- It can be a lonely experience living your life online as it doesn’t give the same feeling of connection as physical contact.
- Being a friend to other people online can be very rewarding but supporting someone who is going through a difficult time can also be stressful and overwhelming.
Consider more:
- What conversations will you have with your children about being online?
- Is there anything else you would like to know more about?