Be careful with what your child does on social networks, they could have a mental and social problem

The support of guardians or parents when a child uses social networks is essential for their social development, online safety and even physical integrity.

Proof of this importance is the legislative decision that was adopted in the state of California because its governor, Ron DeSantis, passed a law that establishes that under 14 years old They will not be able to access social networks and young people aged 14 and 15 can only enter these platforms with parental permission.

This legislative measure highlights the growing concern about possible consequences that the early and unregulated use of social networks can have on the emotional and psychosocial well-being of young people.

“Some experts are concerned that teens are feeling more anxious and have lower self-esteem because of social media and texting,” says Rachel Ehmke, former editor-in-chief of the Child Mind Institute, an organization focused on children’s mental health. of the United States.

One of the main roots of the emotional problems that social networks can generate in children are virtual interactions.

The dynamics of online interactions are considerably different from face-to-face interactions, especially in aspects such as authenticity and human warmth. However, for minors, Identifying these differences becomes a challenge given their young age and little experience in the social and emotional sphere.

“In the old days, when a boy was going to break up with you he had to have a conversation with you. Or at least he had to call,” said Donna Wick, a clinical and developmental psychologist, who was quoted in the American institute article.

“These days, I might disappear from your screen, and you might never get to have the conversation about… what did I do?” he added.

Face-to-face interactions have elements absent in digital ones: body language and facial expressions.

Likewise, in face-to-face interactions, there is no possibility of meditating extensively to find the ideal response. “We cannot control that our appearance is precisely what we want to convey. When faced with a conflict, we must learn to react immediately,” says the children’s mental health institute.

On social networks, the content is usually hyper-curated: people have a pristine appearance and their lives are perfect.

Another big problem that is common is that children feel bad about themselves when they see everyone on the internet living their best life.

Often, teenagers try to compensate for this lack by sharing images that show them in a perfect light. However, when their social media identity doesn’t reflect their real feelings, they can end up feeling even more dissatisfied.

A study carried out by the Royal Society of Public Health asked adolescents and young adults, aged 14 to 24, in Great Britain, about the impact of social networks on their well-being and mental health.

The results showed that platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram promoted increased feelings of lonelinessanxiety, depression and negative views of your body image.

To reduce the adverse consequences of social media use among young people, it is essential to establish restrictions and monitor their activity on these platforms.

Those responsible for their care can encourage children to participate in in-person activities that reinforce self-confidence and social skills, such as playing sports or the arts.

It is essential to promote open dialogue about feelings and experiences on social media, offering a safe space to express concerns or anxieties.

“Part of healthy self-esteem is knowing how to say what we think and feel, even when we disagree with other people, or if it feels emotionally risky,” says Steiner-Adair, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute.