If you have a teenager, you know that some challenges and joys come with this time of their life. Teenagers are in the process of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Therefore, parents get to experience the best of both worlds. On the other hand, this also means that parents experience the challenges that come with this phase of life as well. One of the biggest challenges that parents have to address involves teen screen time. When it comes to team mental health, teen screen time can have a major impact. Close to 2 million children between ages 3 and 17 years have been diagnosed with depression. It is possible that screen time may be contributing to this. Learn more about the impact of screen time on teen mental health below!
Screen Time Can Lead to a Relentless Drive To Compare
One of the biggest issues that teen screen time can create is that teenagers will feel an inexorable drive to compare themselves to others. When teenagers spend a lot of time on their screens, they are going to spend much of it on social media. As they are browsing social media, they may compare their life to the lives of others. For example, they may be looking at what their peers are doing and might feel like they are missing out. Or, they may feel like one of their best friends is going through something difficult and fear it will happen to them in the future. Parents need to let teenagers know that nobody’s life is ever as good or as bad as it appears on social media. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, Destinations for Teens offers the following programs:
Screen Time Can Lead To Feelings of Social Isolation
Also, screen time and teenagers can lead to social isolation. Social isolation and mental health are important topics that need to be covered. Even though many teenagers feel like they are being social, this can actually lead to feelings of isolation. First, spending time video chatting on a screen is not the same as spending time with a physical person. Second, when teenagers realize that a lot of their friends may be participating in a fun activity, these feelings of missing out can turn into isolation. When it comes to social isolation and mental health, it is important for parents to spot the symptoms of depression. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Changes in sleep habits, either sleeping more or less than usual
- Rapid changes in weight, either gaining weight or losing weight
- Significant changes in eating habits
- Feeling some guilt over situations that are not the fault of the teenager
- A loss of enjoyment and activities that used to bring joy
If you are noticing that your teenager is struggling with any of these symptoms, then it may be time to reach out to trained professionals for assistance. That is where we can help you.
Contact Destinations for Teens for Help with Teen Screen Time Today!
If you are looking for teen treatment programs, then look no further than Destinations for Teens. We specialize in teen mental health. We provide adolescent treatment programs that take a holistic approach to some of the biggest mental health issues facing teenagers today. With access to experienced, innovative professionals, we will place you and your teen in a position to be successful during the recovery process. Contact us today at [direct] to speak with a trained member of our staff! We would be honored to help you and your teen with any and all mental health problems.