Social media is a big part of the lives of teens today. It provides them with a sense of community and enables them to connect with people worldwide.

However, social media is not all sunshine and roses. Studies suggest that heavy social media usage is likelier to develop a negative body image, low self-esteem, and unhealthy habits.

Studies also show a link between common mental disorders like depression and anxiety and heavy use of social media. While it isn’t clear whether it’s social media use that leads to mental illness, or mental illness that leads to heavy social media use, experts generally agree that there’s a connection between the two.

Many theories attempt to explain this connection. One suggests that the social pressure of being online and available all day causes FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which in turn leads to anxiety, a concern for any parent raising teens.

Raising Teens in the Digital Age

Every parent dreams of raising happy and
responsible adults but social media has made this a lot harder.  Nonetheless, it is still doable.

Teach your
teens good social media habits

The internet can be a dangerous place for adults, let alone teenagers. Parents should take an active role in teaching their kids how to use social media safely. Otherwise, kids learn from friends, older siblings and other influencers, whose priority is not necessarily safety.

Set
some ground rules

Setting ground rules and time limits for social media is one of the best ways of teaching teens good social media habits. However, teens should be part of this process as they’re the ones who must abide by the rules; it helps if they feel a sense of ownership.

Practice what you
preach

Kids and teens are sponges who learn best through observation. Leading by example is the best way to teach kids good social media habits. If parents spend a lot of time on social media, no number of rules or time limits can keep their kids from their phones and laptop screens.

Keep them busy

Enrolling teens
in sports and other activities that keep them busy can reduce the amount of
time they spend on social media. Moreover, physical activities can alleviate
the symptoms of anxiety and depression and keep mental
illness at bay.

Raising happy and healthy teens in the digital age is all about promoting healthy habits. Create some rules, and enroll your kids in enough activities that they’re so involved with life that they barely have time to check their social media!

The post Teen Mental Health & Social Media appeared first on Lifestyle.

Teens go through so many intense changes all at once that it can be a bit overwhelming. Without a strong support system and a healthy outlet for their stress, they can quickly slip into a depressive state.

Recognizing Teen Depression

Most teenagers are moody and predictable, which makes it
difficult for parents to tell whether they’re depressed or just being a
teenager. The main symptoms of teen depression are failing grades, unexplained
outbursts & violence, poor personal hygiene, self-destructive behaviors,
sulking and excessive sleeping or insomnia.

One symptom on its own may appear meaningless but several symptoms
could be a sign of something bigger.

Causes of Teen
Depression

Being a young adult who is in the process of finding his or
her place in life is stressful. Most teens experience self-doubt and social
anxiety, which are made worse by bullying and peer pressure.

Some teens also suffer from traumas and chemical imbalances,
which make them likelier to slip into depression.

Sadly, untreated depression can be deadly. Depressed teens often experiment with risky behaviors such as drugs and sexual promiscuity, which can scar them for life.

Even worse, many depressed teens have suicidal thoughts. Everyday
a teen commits suicide as a result of depression, and every year the total
number of teen suicides increases.

What Parents Can Do

As a parent, there are steps you can take to save your
child. Start by talking to them and offering a listening ear. Sometimes that’s
all they need.

Try not to be judgmental, critical or dismissive, even if you think what they’re going through isn’t a big deal. It’s a big deal to them and that’s all that matters!  Your job is to be supportive.

Think back to when you were a teen and how you felt. Consider sharing some experiences so your teen knows he or she is normal. Most importantly, share how you got through those challenging times, and let them know that you’ll get through this together – that they are NOT alone.

If your teen doesn’t want to talk, help them find a positive outlet for their stress. Get them involved in healthy extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or volunteerism.

If you suspect your teen’s depression is at an advanced stage or they are having suicidal thoughts, they need to see a doctor as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The doctor may prescribe medication to manage their depression. It’s your job as a parent to make sure your teen follows whatever protocol your healthcare professional has outlined to improve their mental health.

Lastly, if your teen is having problems at school, get their school guidance counselor involved because it can help them feel safer at school and also be a source of encouragement and support for making better choices.

Parenting a teen is all about assuring them that they aren’t navigating this big scary world alone, while also allowing them some independence. Doing this makes them feel safe and lets them know that they are loved and supported by the people (you and your family) who love them most.

The post Is Your Teen Depressed? appeared first on Lifestyle.