Social media aims to be a good thing. It hopes to connect people to others they may not know otherwise and creates new opportunities to learn, grow, and interact. Yet, social media is also dangerous, especially when it comes to the effects of social media on teens. If your son is struggling with the impact of social media, let our professionals at the Foothills at Red Oak Recovery offer help and guidance. Call 866.300.5275 today to learn more about our social media addiction treatment program.
What Can Social Media Do to Your Child?
Social media creates ways to communicate with others. While teens may engage with others in person at school and deal with bullying and frustrations, social media doesn’t go away. There’s no bell at the end of the day. That means there is constant access to what’s happening on social media, generally around the clock. What can do this? It can lead to numerous adverse outcomes, including:
1. Influencing Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
In some situations, social media creates an opportunity for people to say things that are not true with little repercussion. These comments spread quickly on social media, creating instances of embarrassment quickly. Over time, constant negative actions like this can lead to a drop in self-esteem for many teen boys.
2. Unrealistic Views of Others
It is hard to live up to the stories others post on social media. While, in reality, most of the social media is made up of filters and lies, teen boys are vulnerable to this type of engagement. That can cause several negative views for many. Peer pressure plays a significant role in teen boys’ lives.
3. Distraction
Social media is always on hand on a smartphone. That makes it easy for young men to find themselves frequently engaged in what’s happening there instead of focusing on what is happening in real life. This distraction can lead to negative behaviors as well as a drop in academic performance.
What Can Be Done to Help Young Men Manage These Outcomes?
Social media can do much more than people think it can. For example, it can encourage negative behaviors like drug and alcohol use. It may provide teens with ways to lie or cheat. In many cases, it leads to the development of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. It’s hard to overcome the constant pressure of others, too.
While good self-esteem is something everyone needs to work toward, parents need to be cognizant of what their son needs at that moment. That may mean encouragement and support when peer pressure becomes a problem. Also, teens follow the lead their parents set. That means that constant engagement is a learned behavior. If you put down your phone, they will too, and that creates new opportunities for your teen to talk about feelings, pain, and turmoil in their life.
Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery Today
When your teen is engaged in social media so much that it impacts their mental health, academic performance, and overall confidence, it is time to seek out help. Our team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can offer guidance and support, including providing access to therapy. Your teen can learn what to expect, how to overcome challenges, and how to build a healthy view of the world around them. Learn more about our therapies that can help achieve this, including:
Family Therapy Programs
Our comprehensive family therapy programs provide a supportive and nurturing environment for families to heal and grow together, fostering healthier relationships and effective communication.
Equine Therapy Programs
Experience the transformative power of equine therapy, where interactions with horses can help teens develop confidence, trust, and emotional awareness, promoting personal growth and resilience.
Holistic Healing Support
Our holistic healing approach integrates various therapeutic modalities, including mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy, to address the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of adolescents, promoting overall balance and wellness.
Co-occurring Disorder Treatment
Our specialized co-occurring disorder treatment offers comprehensive care for adolescents struggling with mental health conditions alongside substance abuse issues, providing integrated and personalized support for dual diagnosis.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Our evidence-based substance abuse treatment program is designed to empower teens in their recovery journey, offering a range of therapeutic interventions and support services to promote lasting sobriety and a healthy lifestyle.
Get the Help Your Son Needs
The effects of social media on teens can be troubling. While everyone may seem attached to social media, your son could be struggling to manage feelings, thoughts, and mental health. Our team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can offer help for them. To learn more, call 866.300.5275 or connect with us online today.
