{"id":32298,"date":"2023-05-08T08:07:12","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T12:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthymindsphilly.org\/?p=32298"},"modified":"2023-04-18T21:35:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T01:35:57","slug":"social-media-in-small-doses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthymindsphilly.org\/dev\/blog\/social-media-in-small-doses\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Media in Small Doses"},"content":{"rendered":"

WARNING: Consume Responsibly\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it\u2026we\u2019re in the age of social media. If you\u2019re reading this as the parent of a teen, chances are this is very different from how you grew up. Nowadays, 90 percent of adolescents between ages 13 and 17 use at least one type of social media.<\/span><\/p>\n

So it seems the question is: What are the effects of social media on younger generations?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The Upside<\/b><\/p>\n

When it comes to social media, it\u2019s a double-edged sword. During the peak of COVID-19, social connection was needed, and social media provided it to many of us. It keeps us in near-instant contact with our friends, family, organizations, etc. Social media is also able to reach millions of people with the click of a button; this is POWERFUL in sharing health information, mental health awareness, and current events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Downside<\/b><\/p>\n

Along with these benefits there are, as we know, some definite drawbacks. When it comes to children and adolescents, there is an undeniable risk of online predators and cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has seen an increase with the rise of social media; this is a problem because there is no break from cyberbullying \u2026 it goes with you everywhere your smartphone goes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically for those developing self awareness, social media can be problematic. For example, comparing ourselves to others is normal, but on social media with filters and editing tools, we\u2019re comparing ourselves to unrealistic images of others during a snapshot of their life. In addition, most of these platforms include likes, which provides positive reinforcement and validation to those posting. This may lead to someone basing their worth on those views and likes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, even when consuming news and health-related information on social media, it is important to recognize that not all information is accurate, reliable, or applicable to you, and not everyone providing it is qualified to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

KEEP IN MIND: Tips for Parents and Users<\/b><\/p>\n