Social Media Impacting Your Kids Health? Try These Parenting Tips For Help

Social media usage is rapidly increasing which is impacting lives of people of all ages. Everything is now present on social media platforms and it is hard to say that there is anything that is not present currently. Social media is especially more inclined towards the youth and we see that kids and children are too engrossed in their phones and laptops over social media usage. 

Social Media Impact On Kids

There are many side-effects of social media that can impact youth and kids. In fact some of these kids also take social media too seriously and a lot of emotions depend on the likes and comments they are getting on these platforms. This is very risky especially for kids and children are in their teens. Increase in screen time impacts their mental health. Today we are going to talk about tips to reduce the usage of social media for kids and how can parents play an important role in this.

Tips To Reduce Social Media Usage In Children

Checking social media close of bed time of just after waking up creates a mental setback of kids. Cognitive development in kids is significantly more at this age rather than any other time. According to experts the memory functions develop best at 5am to 11am in the morning and from 9pm onwards in the night. Here are some tips that you can use to reduce social media usage for youngsters-

1. Talk about social media

You need not neglect or straight away ask them to say no to social media. It is one of major ways to get knowledge about current trends and things. Talk to them about social media presence, how to use it and what encourages kids to use social media. Young kids and teenagers use social media to connect with people, therefore try to make them understand the importance of real face to face meet and responsibilities. Provide your kids with relevant tools to thrive in digital world.

Also Read- 7 Tips For Extrovert Parents To Raise Their Introvert Kids Successfully

2. Regulate Screen time of Kids

One way to deal with youngsters using social media excessively is to limit screen time. This needs to be done for kids and you as a parent. Connect with them and make them feel good without usage of social media apps. This will encourage them to put limit on their social media usage and perhaps reduce screen time which impacts their mental health. Indulge more towards socialising with friends and family.

3. Notice FOMO

Number of youngsters and kids are present on social media so that they can participate actively with the world. A lot of these kids have fear of missing out (FOMO) therefore they try to interact on social media more often and increase their engagement. As parents it is your duty to understand their fears and learn about their FOMO’s. It could help you give them more adequate advice which will prevent them from getting impulsive about social media usage.

4. Silence alerts and Notification

Social media platforms continuously send notifications about the latest updates. Ask your kids to turn in off as it is one of the major causes of anxiety. Yes, constant notification cause anxiety in youth and makes them check their social media instantly. This can impact their mental health negatively and cause mental health disorders. Therefore turn these notifications on silent so that it does not keep you awake or in urge to check phones. Social media alerts should most often be kept as silent.

5. Keep charging points in different room

Many children and young kids keep charger on their bedside to constantly charge their phones in case the battery turns low. This makes them stick to their phones at all times and even during charging, they keep checking social media notifications. Keeping the charger in a different room or far away can actually resist you from taking phones at different point. It can protect your kids from harmful effects of phone rays and anxiety issues. If this increases to a level that you aren’t able to control habit of your kids, then you must take them to a counsellor or expert for help.

Also Read- Uninvolved Parenting: How Does It Affect The Child?

6. Ask experts for help

Sometimes kids and youngsters are not able to understand the reason behind reducing usage of social media in your life. Therefore you need an expert opinion and help that can impact your children. Doctors and counsellors can help your children to make them understand the harmful impact of using social media excessively. They can try some therapy to reduce screen time for kids and improve your sleep. Experts can also treat any mental health issue rising because of excessive usage of social media in youngsters.

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