We are now facing a time when nearly all teens (96 percent) are using the internet every day, and the amount of young people who are online almost constantly has nearly doubled from 2015 until today, according to the PEW Research Center.

Although most of us understand that the train has left the station for this generation of teens and technology, it doesn’t mean parents give up on trying to take back control of their devices. Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory, Social Media and Youth Mental Health, digging into the complex world teenagers and youth are dealing with online, especially when they are not emotionally prepared.

Social media and the overuse of screen time have been proven to diminish the mental health of our young people; parents watch their children rage or have explosive meltdowns if they even threaten to remove their phones. It’s time to help teens learn how to manage screen time successfully.

5 Ways to Help Your Teen Manage Screen Time

This may not be easy, but it will be worthwhile since your teen’s future and mental well-being are at risk.

1. Knowledge is power. Although your teen has probably heard you warn them about the risks of social media to their mental health, it’s time to talk about the risks of too much social media (screen time) for anyone, including yourself as a parent.

More research and studies have shown that many adults have become slaves to their phones, leading to increased issues with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. In other words, many parents can relate to their teenager’s digital life; let’s work on this together. Let your teen know they’re not alone.

2. Limit your notifications. This is probably one of the biggest (and easiest) stress reducers you can make for your teen and yourself. To have a half dozen sounds of buzzes, whistles, rings, and songs going off to notify you that an app has been updated can be overwhelming—and automatically starts triggering emotions, especially if you can’t answer it immediately.

Have your teen choose three apps (or whatever you are comfortable with) for sounds. The others they can manually check periodically.

3. Set daily device-free time. Whether it’s meal (breakfast or dinner) time, before bedtime, or one to two hours in the afternoon or morning, develop a schedule when no one is staring at screens. On weekends, create family activities that don’t involve screens. Keep in mind that this includes the parents, too.

4. Create boundaries with a technology contract. Did you know teenagers want someone to impose screen time limits on them? As mentioned earlier, the train did leave the station, and it’s hard to get it back, but as a parent, you still have the power to lead the ship.

Sit down together as a family, discuss what they consider to be fair as a starting point, and begin your negotiations from there. Allowing them to be part of the conversation also helps them better understand the consequences they will have when breaking the rules (boundaries).

5. Importance of sleep. Adolescents are known for staying up all night, scrolling their social feeds, binging, or even gaming. However, this is extremely unhealthy and can have a profound impact on their emotional health and academics.

A safe or lockbox is one of the best investments for your child’s mental well-being. Choose a time at night when devices will be secured until the morning. This can help you improve your teen’s sleep, which typically improves other areas of their life, like school.

In conclusion, as parents, we need our young people to understand better that learning a healthy balance of screen time benefits all of us; as both adults and teenagers, we need to start managing our online lives successfully for our mental wellness.

Also read:

How Cyberbullying Effects Mental Health

What Causes Teen Mental Health Issues

The post How to Help My Teen Manage Screen Time first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The post 3 Tips to Improve Teenage Mental Health first appeared on Help Your Teens.

In today’s society, the internet can be a valuable asset and educational tool, as well as a dangerous attraction and lethal weapon. Many teens are turning to social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to make friends, mingle and more.

An unfortunate reality is that potential predators can also sign up and chat with your kids. Social networking are many teens’ ways of communication which can be entertaining and fun; yet, if they are not careful, it can also be unsafe.

Teen Internet Addiction Warning Signs:

• Your teen may suffer from anxiety. They may use the internet to distract themselves from worries and fears. An anxiety disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder may also contribute to excessive email checking and compulsive internet use.
• They are depressed. The Internet can be an escape from feelings of depression, but too much time online can make things worse. Internet addiction further contributes to stress, isolation, and loneliness.
• They have any other addictions. Many internet addicts suffer from other addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex.
• They lack social support. Internet addicts often use social networking sites, instant messaging, or online gaming as a safe way of establishing new relationships and more confidently relating to others.
• They are an unhappy teenager. They might be wondering where they fit in and the internet could feel more comfortable than real life.
• They are less mobile or socially active than they once were. Some are withdrawing from activities (sports and family events) as well as isolating themselves.
• They are stressed. While some people use the internet to relieve stress, it can have a counterproductive effect. The longer you spend online, the higher your stress levels will be.

An educated parent is better equipped to help limit potential danger of internet predators and online identity theft, as well as helping them develop a healthy relationship with technology.

Is cellphone addiction real? YES!

Today we are facing a time when teen depression is on the rise. Young people are struggling with anxiety, stress and overwhelmed by peer pressure. They are completely immersed in their screens without considering their emotional or physical health.

Have you tried:

• Phone contracts
• Removing their devices
• Local therapy
• Digital detox plans

But find your teen still falling back into their old obsessive patterns?

At P.U.R.E. we promote parent awareness to help you, as parents, understand that it’s not about removing the devices as much as it’s about helping your teen learn more about the risks behind the screen. In addition to the consequences of what they post and the impact it can have on their future.

These are only some of the concerns, while the most important issue is your child’s mental wellness. If you feel that it has now taken over their lives – and yours, it might be time to consider outside help.

Quality therapeutic boarding schools can help students to detox from their screen addiction and learn how to self-regulate, as they participate in individual and group therapy. They will eventually have a healthy relationship with devices. The fact is, technology is only growing – it’s not going away.

Read: The Effects of Cyberbullying on Teens.

Read: 5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s internet addiction and you have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen develop a healthy relationship with technology. Contact us today for  a free consultation.

The post Will Teen Help Programs Help Cell Phone Addiction first appeared on Help Your Teens.