GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – For parents navigating the world of social media with your child, the impact of social media on kids and teens has become a growing concern. It’s also a growing concern for teachers and doctors.
We have advice from a local therapist. Nicole Norcross is part of the Emplify Health at Bellin Behavior and Mental Health team.
The First Alert Safety Desk has reported on the ways social media can impact the mental health and well-being of kids and teens. We’ve talked about how there’s a good side and a darker side to it, too.
“It’s good for kids to have connections across the board and a lot of ways to do that,” Norcross said, “but it’s a medium with a lot of social comparisons. Kids have unrealistic expectations about how they’re supposed to look or how life is supposed to go.”
To help parents navigate this complex issue, Emplify Health by Bellin offers three tips for parents:
- Open communication. Encourage open discussions about social media use. Ask your child about their favorite platforms, the content they engage with, and how it makes them feel. You’ll want to avoid dismissing your child’s interests and feelings.
- Set boundaries together. Work with your child to establish healthy boundaries around social media use. This helps create a sense of responsibility and ownership.
- Model healthy behavior. Children often mimic the behavior of adults. If you limit your screen time, they may do the same.
Norcross says she sees a lot more kids focused on how they look or how they’re perceived by others.
She suggests having an active role in your child’s online life. Check in on how they’re feeling and have those open conversations.
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