Technology is part of every day life.  We know how it benefits us and impacts our lives, but are we aware of the signs and symptoms of impacts to our child's mental health?

• Does your child seem to have a persistent sadness or low mood?

• Do they show signs of excessive fears or worries?

• How about signs of withdrawal from friends and activities.

• Maybe they demonstrate extreme mood changes.

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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Alicia Canizales will share what to look, understand what's happening, and provide tools to help you.

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She first shares that mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being, and affects how we think, feel and act.  Mental health influences our daily life, relationships and physical health.  Poor mental health can lead to serious conditions. 

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For parents and caregivers that are new to Social Media, she shares that it refers to internet-based websites and applications that enable users to create, share and exchange content, idea and information within virtual communities and networks.  Examples include Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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Social Media affects our children's sleep, their perceived isolation, self-esteem and concentration. 

• Sleep - tends to keep your child up later, 5 minutes turns into 50 minutes

• Perceived isolation - since these are virtual communities, they spend less time with people, which may lead to depression or the fear-of-missing-out (or FOMO).  A recent study showed correlation between the time spent on Social Media and your child's perceived social isolation

• Self-esteem - children are affected by what they see on the internet.  Isolation and depression affects self-esteem with children comparing themselves (unjustly) to influencers, and are negatively impacted by unrealistic standards with Social Media algorithms apply their filters and introduce artificial intelligence (AI).

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So what can parents do?  If your child demonstrates the signs and symptoms noted about, seeking help is a sign of strength - not weakness.  Early support can lead to better outcomes.

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Parents and caregivers can lessen the risk and impact of Social Media by knowing what they're using and who they're talking to.  They can also set parental controls, limit their screen time and most importantly - don't spy.

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You can also be a good example, by turning off notifications, minimize your risks, focus on self-care, set up technology free zones, give them your full attention and limit your screen time.

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You can also help (re)build their self-esteem by getting them involved in something else they're interested in, try new things and recognizing their hard work.

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Alma has a seminar on developing your child's self-esteem led by Claudia Rios-Gastelum LMFT.  You'll find that information here.