This is a growing concern not only in families, but with educators and therapists. Excess screen-time has been linked to causing an increase in teen depression, anxiety, stress and even self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Did you know, approximately 95% of teens have their own smartphone and 88% have access to a computer at home? How can we prevent teen internet addiction after the train has already left the station?

Is your teen:

-Constantly checking their phone, always online?
-Get anxious when they don’t have their phone?
-Will become angry or even enraged if you remove their device?
-Are drifting from real life friends?
–Withdrawing from family?
–Isolating in their room for hours?
-Seem depressed, sad or stressed?

Managing your teen’s screen-time can be challenging but it’s also necessary in today’s digitally driven world. The fact is, technology is here to stay and we must teach our children to have a healthy relationship with technology including their social media platforms.

Why Early Prevention of Internet Addiction Is Necessary

When did you give your child their first device? There is a reason why top Silicon Valley executives are saying no to the smartphone until at least 14 for their children. In fact, there is a long list of reasons and parents need to know them.

Wait Until the 8th  invites you to learn more about why parents should consider waiting until their child is at least 14 years old before giving them a cell-phone.

Smartphones are addictive

New research shows dependence on your smartphone may produce some of the same addictive brain responses similar to alcohol, drug and gambling addictions. Smartphones are like slot machines in your children’s pocket constantly persuading them to crave more. The tech industry intentionally designs smartphone apps and social media for people to use for long periods of time because this is how they make their money.

Smartphones are an academic distraction

Elementary and middle school years establish the foundation for your child’s academic success. Children learn how to productively manage time, projects and homework. Introducing a constant distraction with a smartphone is paving a path for academic mediocrity.

The early results of a landmark study on brain development by the National Institute of Health show children who spent more than two hours a day looking at a screen got lower scores on thinking and language tests. Research from the University of Texas suggests the mere presence of your smartphone reduces cognitive capacity and test-taking brainpower. One study demonstrated that using smartphones in classrooms can even lower a student’s grade. Another study found that children who attend schools with smartphone bans did better on tests.

Smartphones impair sleep

Studies show that the use of smartphones and other portable devices with screens affects the quantity and quality of sleep in children and teens. Adolescents are likely restless because they anticipate receiving texts and social media messages from friends, which affects their nighttime routine.

Some children even wake up in the middle of the night to check texts or social media. Sleep disturbance in childhood is known to have adverse effects on health, including poor diet, obesity, weakened immune system, stunted growth, and mental health issues.

Smartphones increase the risk for anxiety and depression

Children are not emotionally equipped to navigate tricky social media waters at such an early age.  Viewing someone else’s highlight reel on social media often leads youth to think they are missing out or are not enough compared with their peers. Research shows that the more time someone uses social media the more likely they are to be depressed. A Harvard Business Review showed the more you use Facebook the worse you feel. Another report demonstrated that adolescents’ psychological well-being decreased the more hours a week they spent on screens.

In addition, when children overuse technology, the constant stimulation of the brain causes the hormone cortisol to rise. Too much cortisol can inhibit a child from feeling calm. The loss of tranquility can lead to serious anxiety disorders.

Suicide rates are on the rise especially for girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. For this age group, suicide rates have tripled over the past 15 years.

Read more reasons on why parents should wait to give their child a smartphone.

Tips to Curb Smartphone Addiction

It is no secret, parents are at their wit’s end while their teen (or tween) are hooked to their devices. We are now at a point where if a parent attempts to remove (or even threatens to remove) their phone, they risk a firestorm in their home. We’ve talked to parents that have experienced property damage (holes in walls), their child that will self-harm, become explosive, rage and more — when their smartphone is removed.

Here are some ways to try to take back control:

1. Smartphone contacts:   Cellphones are a privilege, not a right.

It’s never too late to create a smartphone and device contract with your teenager. Another example of a contract is a technology agreement, courtesy of Cyberwise. This contract and/or agreement outline the expectations of the parents, as well as the rules and responsibility of using their smartphone. With this the teens/kids have a clear understanding of the guidelines for using the phone and consequences when they break the rules.

2. Modeling smartphone behavior:  Do as I say, and as I do.

Many experts say it is not only about monitoring but more about mentoring – reality is, it’s more about parents MODELING smartphone behavior. These teen’s already have their heels dug in. Mom and dad need to start modeling good digital behavior. For example – if you are a parent that is constantly checking their text messages or on social media, what message is that sending your child? If you bring your phone to the table for mealtime time, what example does that set? When speaking to your friends, are you also glaring at your screen? Do you leave distasteful comments online, do you overshare on social media? Do you text and drive?

Studies has shown, you are your child’s biggest influence. It’s time for parents to rethink how they use their smartphones too.

3. Lights out – screens out.  Blackout.

It is time to purchase a lockbox or safe. A simple purchase that can literally change your teen’s life and help them develop healthy sleeping patterns again.

How many times have you awoken to your teen scrolling down their screens at 2am? 3am? It’s not enough anymore to simply say it’s 10pm time to turn-off your phone. Whatever time you have designated in your contract/agreement — is the time that phones are locked-up until morning. Having a good night’s rest not only will improve mental wellness, it will likely help your teen’s academic performance and overall mood.

Also read:

3 Causes of Teen Mental Health Issues

Reducing Your Teen’s Screen-Time

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools

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Is your teen struggling with internet addiction or smartphone addiction? Have you exhausted your local resources? Contact us to learn more about residential treatment and how can benefit your teenager.

The post How to Prevent Teen Internet Addiction first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The internet is evolving on a daily basis, wait, it’s actually changing minute by minute, and it can be a perfect excuse for parents to say — they simply can’t keep up!

What they are forgetting is, for parents, staying in touch with technology updates and your teen’s social behavior online — is now part of parenting today. In other words, you don’t have an option – your teen’s online life is a priority.

We often talk about how schools need to implement cyber-civics, and I couldn’t agree more. The gap lies with the parents.

Frequently I hear from schools and tech experts, one of the hardest things to do is getting parents involved – it’s a challenge motivating parents to attend workshops or conferences about digital parenting. Many schools will report that the turnout is typically low.

Sadly, it usually takes a small town making national news for unlikely events, or worse a headline like that of the young teen that took her life in front of her family – to give parents a moment of pause. However, it’s all too soon before that pause becomes just another day. Most parents believe these things could never happen to them – or their community.

In a Common Sense Census, Plugged In Parents of Tweens and Teens, it uncovered that parents spend an average of nine hours with social media daily and the vast amount of that time is spent with personal screen media. Interestingly seventy-eight percent of the parents surveyed believe they are good technology role models for their children. Are they?

Do parents need to be reminded of social etiquette?

Like our kids, grown-ups seems to be digitally connected the majority of a day too. We want our children to be involved in digital literacy classes, yet who are we learning from?

• Are you disconnecting when talking to your friends?
• Are you minding your cyber-manners when leaving comments on social media?
• Are you asking permission before posting pictures of friends or relatives?
• Are you unplugging during mealtime?
• Are you texting and driving?

Getting interested in your teen’s online life

For most parents, they are overwhelmed with all these new apps, live streaming, sites and technology that seem to have no boundaries – and definitely never ending. It’s time for parents to jump on board – there may never be a day you will master every app or how to Snap, Tweet or even TicTok, however you must be a parent that is interested in learning about all of it. Why? Because your teens are.

You’re never too old to learn, even when it comes to technology.

L – Listen to your teens. You may be plugged into your own device, but you must detach from your cyber-place long enough to hear about where the teens are trending online. There are many places virtually that adults (especially parents) could be unaware of. This is not about being nosey, it’s about being a parent. Are they talking about people they are meeting in chatrooms you are not familiar with? Ask about it – safety always trumps privacy. 

E – Engage in conversations with your teens about social media sites – online. Yes, go online with your teen and have them explain firsthand how to use apps you may fear or want to learn more about. This is about learning what apps your teen is using too and how they use them. They don’t have to be long conversations, short chats can be more helpful than longer ones. Your teen may actually keep the conversation going longer since it’s a topic they are excited about.

A – Actively learn about new cyber-security measures to share with your family. For example how Instagram updated their features by adding a resource to flag posts that are potentially offensive. As many parents realize, when it comes to harmful and hateful content online, teenagers may not always be forthright in sharing these negative experiences. Be sure they are familiar with how to report and block digital harassment on all their social platforms.

R – Reach-out to other parents, relatives and friends. Share and learn from each other about cyber safety, apps and discuss what their teens are doing online. Chances are good – your teen is also using the same sites. With the rise in online drug sales, know the warning signs, talk to each other. Never assume bad things can’t happen to good people. 

N – Never stop being interested. Think of it like your teen’s sports or dance team. I know most parents wouldn’t miss these events – and they change their schedules to make them happen. With teenagers, their online social life as become priority for many of them — which means parents need to be aware of what they are doing in these virtual playgrounds, who they are hanging with — and be curious (interested) in their online life as you would their offline one.

How will you get started in learning about your teen’s online life?

Read: How to Give Your Teen Tools to Prevent Cyberbullying.

Read: The Impact of Cybebullying On Teenager Mental Health.

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Is your teen addicted to gaming? Attached to their devices and social media? Are you struggling to get the involved offline? Have you exhausted your local resources — learn more about the benefits of residential treatment for teen help and your family. Contact us for a free consultation.

Image provided by Pexels.

The post How to Learn About Your Teen’s Online Life first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Screen time use rose by nearly 50 minutes per day for those ages 8 to 12 (tweens) to five hours and 33 minutes per day, and by more than an hour and 15 minutes for teenagers, to eight hours and 39 minutes per day. And those increases do not include students’ screen time in class or for schoolwork.

Is your teen:

-Constantly (attached to their device) online?
-Always checking their social media platforms?
-Become anxious when they don’t have their phone?
-More engaged with their digital life than real life friends?
-Become enraged if you even mention removing their phone?

Teachers say they see the effects of heightened digital exposure in the classroom. In a nationally representative survey by the EdWeek Research Center in February, 88 percent of educators reported that in their experience, students’ learning challenges rose along with their increased screen time.

Moreover, 80 percent of educators said student behavior worsened with more screen time. Over a third said student behavior has gotten “much worse” due to rising screen time.

More concerning is the impact that screen time is potentially having on a teens’ mental health. Their behavior at home, when parents attempt to limit screen time or remove devices all together, becomes erratic to explosive. A teenager can go into a rage, destroying property, being verbally abusive and overall out-of-control when they feel detached from their screen. This is very, very real. Parents are at their wit’s end with this screen addiction.

Teens and Screen Time: How Much is Too Much?

Learn more about:

• How much are kids and teens spending with their screens?
• What are they doing and why should I worry?
• What should I do if I find my teen has an unhealthy dependence on screens?
• Do parental controls really work?

Tips to limit screen time:

-Home tech contract: Need help creating a smartphone contract or device contract? Cyberwise offers a technology agreement you can download and create to fit your families needs.

-Modeling good digital behavior: We hear this so frequently, it’s about leading by example — but the truth is, research backs this up. Studies have said that parents have the most influence over their children and especially their teenagers. If you are constantly checking your social feeds, or oversharing on social media, this give your teen the greenlight to do the same. It’s time to become more self-aware of our own digital behavior.

-Create device free time: Whether it’s meal time or one of day during the weekend, in your tech agreement be sure there is a time when everyone is off their devices.  Having this digital detox can really help develop healthier connection with people and with your family.

-Lights out, screens out: How many parents wake up in the middle of the night only to find their teen scrolling down their screens? MANY. You thought they had their phone off, or it was put away. This is when it’s time to invest in a lockbox — whatever time you have designated for screens out, is when the phones are placed in the lockbox or safe. Too many teens are now struggling with disrupted sleep patterns from staying up with their devices.

Also read:

How to Help My Teen’s Social Media Addiction

Tips for Creating a Smartphone Contract

The post How Much is Too Much Screen Time for Teens first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Welcome to Reset Summer Camp — for Serious Technology Addiction.

Looking for a summer digital detox program that is both affordable and effective?

Welcome to Reset Summer Camp!

Digital Addiction

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 isolating themselves – completely immersed in their screens without considering their emotional or physical health.

Symptoms:

-An obsession with being online
-Frustration, anxiety, and irritability when not able to get online
-Abandoning friends or hobbies in order to stay digitally connected
-Continuing to spend time online even after negative repercussions (such as failing grades, deteriorating relationships, and even health issues)

Getting Help

Reset Summer Camp offers a fully immersive, clinical program hosted on a university campus, providing a fun-filled summer camp atmosphere. Participants are able to detox from their screen addiction and learn how to self-regulate, as they participate in individual and group therapy.

Life Skills

The Life Skills program cultivates responsibility and builds self-confidence, so campers will be prepared to handle their real-world obligations. Everything from healthy meal-prep and laundry skills to basic vehicle upkeep and a healthy sleep schedule.

Therapeutic Setting

Their staff includes experienced youth-development professionals, clinical interns, registered nurses, and private-practice mental health PhDs who work daily with those suffering from problematic use of technology, including gaming addiction and other unhealthy screen-time habits.

With 4-weeks of intensive therapeutic intervention, a full Family Workshop weekend and 12-weeks of individual follow-up with every camper, Reset Summer Camp stands alone as the leader in summer digital detox programs.

Why RESET is Different

Their clinical intern staff ARE the 24/7 camp counselors, the camp-buddies of the teens in our programs. They serve as the positive role-models for the campers, the shoulder to cry on, the listening ear always at-the-ready. They participate in much of the group and individual therapy sessions and work directly under the supervision of the PhD, Clinical Director.

Aftercare

What you can expect:

Many programs that claim to be therapeutic simply wave goodbye at the end of the session and wish you well, others offer a sort of “cheerleading” follow-up to touch-base, (more like a call from a camp-buddy than a therapeutic intervention).

Reset Summer Camp isn’t done when your teen goes home. What sets them apart from others is their therapeutic after-care. Counselors will be available to help you, your teen and your family find a healthy relationship at home with technology.

Dates and rates

Check back for 2024 dates and rates.

Locations for 2024 (which are expected to fill quickly):

-Asheville, NC (opening in 2025)
-Santa Barbara, CA
-New Brunswick, Canada

The cost of the 2024 – 4-week program is $7850.00 which includes everything except camper transportation.*

*Also not included is parent transportation and accommodations for the Family Workshop Weekend.

Returning campers and siblings receive a 10% discount.

*Tuition Assistance and Financing Plans are Available.

Contact RESET at 1-775-771-3171 to learn more or email at info@resetsummercamp.com and visit them on Facebook.Apply now.

Also read:

How to Help My Teen Manage Screen Time

How Social Media is Effecting Teenage Mental Health

P.U.R.E. is not compensated by RESET Summer Camp.

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If your teen needs more than a summer program, contact us for a free consultation to learn more about therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens.

The post RESET Summer Camp for Digital Detox first appeared on Help Your Teens.

By Randy Kulman, PhD.

Do you spend hours on end playing video games? Do marathon gaming sessions cause you to lose much-needed sleep? Have your grades suffered as a result of neglecting schoolwork in favor of more game time? Has your physical health declined due to extended periods of inactivity? Have you tried unsuccessfully to limit the time you spend playing?

Gaming can be a fun, challenging, and rewarding activity, but when it begins to interfere with other essential aspects of life, it might be time to set some limits.

The Gaming Overload Workbook will help you explore your use of video games in a thoughtful, nonjudgmental way. This isn’t a workbook for giving up on gaming. This is a guide to help you set your own limits on screen time, and apply your interest and enthusiasm for gaming to a wider variety of activities, like connecting with friends and family, excelling in school or sports, and just spending more time outdoors.

If you’re ready for some healthy balance between gaming, school, family, physical activity, and social relationships, this book will provide the key to winning at the game of life!

Order your copy today on Amazon.

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

The post The Gaming Overload Workbook first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Video games have become famous with people of all ages engaging in them. They are also a massive part of the economy. Video gaming is now a multi-billion-dollar industry churning in more money than movies and DVDs. Since everyone is willing to pay for video games, the industry has seen a remarkable improvement with realistic and sophisticated features added to the games.

Players can connect to the internet while playing and interact with each other. The impact of video games has been dissected and discussed by many. But how are they affecting students – especially college students? Let’s find out.

The Good Side of Video Games for Teens

With all the noise about the effects of video games on children – school-going children – there are those who argue the positive side of things. It may not be great to have a student sitting on a computer playing games all day, but it is great for a student to play some games sometimes.

Here are some advantages

1. More students can develop an interest in STEM

The STEM workforce of the future needs enthusiastic individuals who will continue to revolutionize it. Many students often chicken out of science, technology, engineering, and math because introductory courses like calculus are so challenging. Calculus games have been developed to help students learn by gaming. Learning games are the new way of convincing students to stay in STEM.

2. Video games can help with experiential learning

Learning in the 21st century is taking on a new trajectory with students encouraged to learn as they do. In order to learn creative problem-solving, games have been developed to help students with critical thinking. For example, students can learn to solve problems with games like DragonBox Algebra. 

3. Video Games encourage learning from failure

It’s never a good video game if it’s too easy to play. Video games are designed in such a way that it’s safe to fail. Students can easily learn from their failures while playing video games. Some games like Burnout Paradise even make failing in video games seem like fun – the more you fail, the more points you earn.

4. Students can stay engaged in the classroom

The best way to make sure that students internalize everything they learn is to make the learning engaging. The more engaged they are, the more they are likely to take in. Educational games have been designed to improve engagement and motivation for students to stay more focused on tasks.

The Negative Side of Video Games

This is the side that researchers are spending more time on. The effects of video games on students have been well-documented for a long time now.

Some adverse effects of these games include students being exposed to violence – killing people and animals, using drugs, and foul language and obscene gestures. Some negative effects of video games include;

1. Students find less time to learn

Studies have shown that students who play video games excessively spend less time learning. This leads to poor performance in class and poor grades eventually. Even students with the potential to become better may slack in their education when exposed to excessive video game playing.

2. Poor social skills

Students who are overly involved in video games may have difficulty controlling the amount of time they spend on the screen. This reduces the amount of time they engage with teachers and other students. Poor social skills can lead to negative behavior in students. For those involved in creating behavior essays for students to write, this is something they often encounter. Negative behavior affects the overall performance of any student and sometimes even leads to some students leaving school.

3. Less reading 

When students spend excessive time playing video games, it cuts into their reading time. This may lead to poor performance in class and may even encourage cheating. Some students would rather cheat than spend time reading for tests.

4. Less exercise and becoming overweight

This is a typical symptom with most gamers. Since some video games can be very addictive, students will spend most time sitting and playing. Such students often consume junk food as they continue to play, sometimes late into the night.

5. Some develop aggressive thoughts and behaviors

Due to the content in the video games, some students may develop cynical behavior and express them towards other students. Although there hasn’t been enough research to link bad behavior to video games, some students find it hard not to copy what they see in these video games.

Conclusion

Video games have become a huge part of people’s lives. With many more people becoming engaged in them, the industry will only grow further. The impact of video games on students is clear to see. While there are positive things to pick from video games, the negative side of things has to be observed carefully as well. 

Also read:

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Are Effective

Author Bio: Joshua Robinson 

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Contact us if you have exhausted your local resources of your troubled teen’s gaming addiction. We help you make smart decisions for teen help programs, therapeutic boarding schools and other options for struggling teens to help them develop a healthy relationship with technology.

The post Teen Gaming Addiction first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Whether it’s communicating with friends through social media, texting or chatting — or they are playing video games, it all involves screen-time.

What is gaming internet addiction?

Experts say that just because someone uses the internet a lot, or even obsessively, doesn’t mean they’re addicted.

The key signal of internet use disorder — more commonly called internet addiction — is if the uncontrolled use of the internet for gaming, gambling, pornography, social media or blogging starts to interfere with the teen’s daily, real-world life.

At this point, internet use becomes a problem because it may affect teens’ physical health and social skills. Most importantly, it may aggravate any underlying mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, which are sometimes the major contributing factors to why teens develop internet addiction.

It has been extremely challenging times for both parents and teens. With the increase of digital addiction, we have seen a shift in behavioral changes with young people such as:

• Defiance
• Rage
• Anger
• Withdrawn
• Failing in school

Especially if parents remove or threaten to take their devices away from the teen, the behavior escalates. Their online life is oxygen them.

It’s more beneficial to help them learn healthier digital habits and healthy relationship with their devices.

Signs of internet addiction in teens:

• A need to be on the internet that is more important than being with friends or engaging in other hobbies.
• A dip in grades for no other reason other than the desire to spend time on the internet, which prevents concentration on schoolwork.
• Anxiety when away from the internet.
• Ignoring school work, chores at home and personal hygiene in order to maximize time spent on the internet.
• Fatigue from staying up late or getting up early to be on the internet.
• Irritability, anger or emotional outbursts when questioned about the time spent online.

Treating internet addiction

Have you tried home contracts, even bargained with your teen in order to limit screen time and nothing worked?

It might be time to consider a more extensive digital detox plan so your teens can develop a healthy relationship with technology.

The fact is — the internet is not going away. It’s imperative they learn coping skills to be productive and emotionally secure with their social media. There are too many young people living for likes and followers. Many teens actually base their self-worth on the number of likes or followers they have acquired. Sadly, this is now the world they live in.

Some of the more common psychological treatments of Internet Addiction Disorder include:

• Individual, group, or family therapy
• Behavior modification
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Equine Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Recreation Therapy

Have you exhausted your local resources? Is your teen struggling with their obsession with their device? Is their physical and mental health suffering? It might be time to consider residential therapy.

Also read:

How Much Is Too Much Screen Time For Teens?

How Cyberbullying Effects Mental Health.

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If you are struggling with your teenager that’s addicted to gaming 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 Does My Teen Have a Gaming Addiction 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.

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 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 internet 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: 5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Read: Goals of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens.

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If you are struggling with your teenager that’s addicted to the internet 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 Therapeutic Boarding Schools Help Teen Internet Addiction first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Social media was created to make people socialize virtually, and that has been possible to some extent. There are multiple other benefits of social media as well, but the question is do the pros outweigh the cons of social media.

If you aren’t wise enough, things can get worse while using social media platforms. Especially with teens, with a lot of free time and the lack of proper guidance, things can go south for them.

Impact of Social Media on Teens

Not Social

We all have heard of so-called “Social Media platforms,” but are they really social? Some people use social media purely for socializing, but not everyone has similar intentions. The internet is harsh, and people with bad intentions make social media not social at all. Social media doesn’t depict real human interaction and doesn’t help with the social skills of teens. People on the internet are narcissists and are there to promote themselves instead of caring about others.

Increased Teen Depression

Social Media has taken many teens with its toxicity. Different studies support the fact about social media causing depressive symptoms in teens or everyone in general.  A study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania found out increased loneliness and depression with the high usage of social media. It’s hard to handle the negativity, racism, body-shaming, and harassment going online. Cyberbullying and fake expectations that are way difficult to meet also contribute to added depression or anxiety in teens. 

Misinformation and Self-harm Content

Social Media being unregulated, carries tons of misinformation and harmful content. Although social media platforms have their guidelines and rules, people still find a way to spread harmful content. The misinformation has been on the internet for a long time, be it about fat loss, height gain, or even the COVID-19 vaccine. Teens are becoming vulnerable and trying to take their lives by getting addicted to the self-destructive content on the internet.

Avoiding adverse impacts of Social Media on Teens

Set Limit and Monitor the usage

Most of the social media problems are caused by the overuse and the addiction of the platforms. While spending more time on social media, we tend to forget the real world and get lost on the internet. A 2019 study suggests that people who spend more than three hours a day on social media might be more at risk of mental health problems. Now, most platforms also have a “your activity” feature where you can check the total time you’re spending there. It can help you keep track of your social media usage.

Encourage more face-to-face and live interactions

Like we said, social media isn’t social, so we encourage you to spend more time on live conversations. That way, you get to socialize and learn more from different people and perspectives. Having face-to-face interactions with people in real life helps you deal with loneliness and reduces the isolation factor from your life.

Follow people who inspire you more on Social Media

Now in the generation of the internet, everything is there at the tip of your finger. You could get the best out of social media by following influencers that inspire you. You can also use social media to learn, as ample pages share informative content that adds value to people’s lives.

The impacts of social media on teens can get horrific, but things can also get better if you get smart and monitor the usage. People have even lost lives due to social media, so be aware of its usage and negative impact.

Also read:

Why Removing Your Teen’s Devices Doesn’t Always Work

How Screen Addiction Effects Teens

How Cyberbullying Effects Mental Health

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior due to internet addiction and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post How Social Media Is Impacting Your Teen first appeared on Help Your Teens.