Moda resources: Focus on kids, mobile devices and social media
What to know:·
Mobile devices and social media appear to be
dramatically re-shaping the experience of childhood and adolescence. While
there are positive and negative effects, some trends have alarmed health
experts.
- Rates of anxiety, depression and suicide among teens have spiked in the past 5 to 10 years.
- Heavy users of social media are more likely to report unhappiness and depression than light to moderate users; kids
who spend more in-person time with friends are less likely to report unhappiness.
- Increased screen time appears to be linked to increased “FOMO”—fear of missing out—and higher levels of anxiety.
- Evening use of mobile devices can negatively impact sleep, which in turn has a host of negative health consequences.
What to do:
Mobile devices and social media aren’t going away.
Moderation and intentionality can help emphasize the positive aspects and
minimize the negative aspects.
·
“The best thing parents can do to minimize the
risks associated with technology is to curtail their own consumption first.”(Link).
·
When talking to your child, put down your own
phone—don’t divide your attention.
· Get kids involved in activities they’re
interested in—especially those that involve physical activity and face-to-face
interaction with their peers.
·
Invite kids to explore and talk about how their
use of social media affects them personally.
·
Educate yourself. A few interesting reads: childmind.org,
Royal
Society for Public Health (PDF), The
Atlantic
For assistance finding a behavioral health provider, or
for questions about benefits, call Moda Behavioral Health:
1-800-799-9391.