DR. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is taking to social media to demand “urgent action” by tech companies and lawmakers to protect the mental health of children and teens.
But after years of moderate and inadequate action by both social media platforms and policy makers, parents and young people are still exposed to the rapidly changing, secretive algorithms, addictive apps and harmful world of extreme and inappropriate content found on platforms. Carry most of the burden in navigating. Such as Instagram, Tiktok and Snapchat.
So what can parents and youth do now? The surgeon general has some suggestions.
“Our children and adolescents do not have the luxury of waiting to see the full extent of social media’s influence,” Murthy said in a statement. consultant Released on Tuesday. “Their childhood and development is happening now.”
If you or someone you know is being negatively affected by social media, reach out to a trusted friend or adult for help. check American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on social media.
create boundaries
To make sure you get enough sleep, limit phone, tablet, and computer use to at least an hour before bedtime and throughout the night. Keep meal times and in-person gatherings device-free to help build social bonds and engage in two-way conversations with others. Connect with people in person and make unplugged interactions a daily priority.
be careful about what you share
Personal information about you has value. Be selective with what you post and share online and with whom you share it, as it is often public and may be permanently stored. If you’re not sure whether you should post something, it’s usually best not to post.
Reach out to at least one person you trust, such as a close friend, family member, counselor, or teacher, who can give you the help and support you deserve. visit www.stopbullying.gov For tips on how to report cyberbullying. If you have experienced online harassment and abuse by a dating partner, contact an expert love is respect for support. If your private images have been taken and shared online without your permission, go here Take it below to help them overcome.
Tips for parents and carers
create a family media plan
Agreed-upon expectations can help establish healthy technology boundaries at home—including social media use. A family media plan can promote open family discussion and rules about media use and may include topics such as screen/online time, content limits, and non-disclosure of personal information.
create a tech-free zone
Limit electronics use at least an hour before bedtime and throughout the night. Keep meal times and other in-person gatherings technology-free. Help children develop social skills and develop their personal relationships by encouraging unstructured and offline relationships with others.
model responsible behavior
Parents can set a good example by limiting their own use, social media habits (including when and how parents share information or content about their child), and by modeling positive behavior on their social media. What does responsible and healthy social media use look like? media accounts.
empower children
Teach kids about technology and empower them to be responsible age-appropriate online participants. Discuss with children the benefits and risks of social media, as well as the importance of respecting privacy and protecting personal information in age-appropriate ways. Communicate with children about who they are connecting with, their privacy settings, their online experiences and how they are spending their time online.
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