When teenagers spend too much time on social media platforms, they often miss important moments in real life. An afternoon with friends, a bike ride, studying for the next exam - all of this is neglected. Instead, they see the perfect photos of their peers and set high standards for themselves. This makes them dissatisfied and sad.
The call for more control
Experts like the American doctor Vivek Murthy are therefore calling for stricter control of social media platforms for young people. Companies and legislators would have to act quickly and set rules. The aim is to protect our children from harmful content and the addictive nature of the apps.
Vivek Murthy also has suggestions for us parents. He says we should create “technology-free zones” at home. These are places where cell phones, tablets, etc. are prohibited. At the same time, we should teach our children how to use these devices responsibly.
The dangerous comparison
A particular problem on platforms like Instagram is the constant pressure to put your best foot forward. Many young people then compare themselves with others and feel bad because they believe they cannot keep up. This can severely impact self-esteem and lead to psychological problems.
The corona pandemic is making it even worse - with sad consequences
During the current Corona crisis, many young people have spent even more time in front of the screen. This has made their problems even worse.
Unfortunately, the increase in depression among young people also has a dark side: more and more young people are hurting themselves or even thinking about suicide. It is therefore urgent that we all address this issue.
It's time for a change
We all have to do something to protect our children. One option would be to raise the minimum age for social media accounts. We should also work to ensure that our children use their smartphones less. Ultimately, it's about helping them find a healthy way to use social media. This is the only way they can take advantage of these platforms without endangering their mental health.
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10 tips for teenagers and ten tips for parents to improve their use of social media:
Tips for teenagers
- Quality instead of quantity: Only follow the people and accounts that really interest you and influence you positively.
- Digital Detox: Try to schedule technology-free time each day to focus on other activities.
- Minimize comparisons: Remember that most people only share their best moments on social media. Try not to constantly compare yourself.
- Privacy Settings: Make sure your privacy settings on social media are at the highest level.
- Confidants: Talk to friends, family members or counseling centers if you feel pressured or depressed by social media.
- Positive Content: Follow accounts that share positive news and inspirational content.
- Separate active and passive use: Use social media actively by creating, commenting and sharing posts instead of just consuming and scrolling.
- No smartphone before bed: Avoid screen time an hour before bed to promote healthy sleep.
- Nothing is forever: Be aware that everything you post online can be permanent. So don't post anything that might embarrass you later.
- Social media is not reality: remember that there is more to life than likes and followers.
Tips for parents
- Educate: Learn about the different social media platforms your child uses to better understand what they do.
- Open communication: Talk to your child about their experiences on social media and create an environment where they feel comfortable raising issues.
- Set up shared rules: Set up rules for using social media together with your child.
- Be a role model: Show how you use your own digital devices and social media responsibly.
- Respect privacy: Respect your child's privacy, but make sure they know how to protect their privacy online.
- Screen-free times: Implement screen-free times where the whole family avoids digital devices.
- Watch for Changes: Pay attention to any changes in your child's behavior that could indicate problems with social media.
- Offer support: If your child is struggling, offer support and seek professional help if necessary.
- Positive use of social media: Encourage your child to use social media in a positive way, such as: B. to learn about topics that interest them and to maintain positive relationships.
- Teaching values: Teach your child that their value does not depend on the number of likes or followers. Every person is unique and valuable, regardless of their online presence.
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

