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Social Media Activity Linked To Bullying, Anxiety Among Young Users

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Among business professionals and teenagers alike, involvement in social media is no longer considered optional. There’s a lot of pressure to sign up and start posting away. Whether you’re trying to get more customers or just want to get more likes on your selfie, constant content creation is the way to do it. Social media allows users to make valuable connections, but there are dangers to overusing these platforms — especially among teenagers. A recent U.K.-based study suggests that these websites and apps are making young people more anxious, with many tweens, teens, and young adults reporting that they’ve been bullied on these platforms.

Anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label conducted a survey involving more than 10,000 young people ages 12 to 20. While around 23% of Facebook users say they check their accounts at least five times a day, the survey found that Instagram was the most harmful social media platform for kids. Not only did 7% of young social media users say they’d been bullied through that app, but a good portion noted that their experiences on Instagram made them more anxious. A whopping 40% said they felt bad when no other users liked their selfies, while 35% said their confidence was directly linked to how many followers their account had.

Anxiety disorders affect one in every eight children, which can put them at risk for poor school performance, a lack of important social experiences, and increased substance abuse. Cyber bullying has been linked to an increase in anxious and depressive behaviors through multiple studies. Nearly 70% of young people have admitted to being abusive towards someone else online, and the study found that 50% reported experiencing cyber bullying. Around 36% of those who had been bullied online said the experience made them feel depressed; 25% said they turned to self-harm to cope.

Adding to the already established stigma of mental health, there’s a pressure to keep things positive on social media. Around 47% of young users said they wouldn’t discuss life problems on social media and many said they presented a heavily edited version of their lives.

Azadeh Aalai, a psychology professor at Montgomery College, was quoted in the Atlantic about how these unrealistic portrayals can lead to even greater levels of anxiety due to feelings of inadequacy.

“Generally speaking, the comparisons that we make on social media are more likely to be ‘upward’ comparisons. We’re comparing ourselves to the individuals who appear to be higher status and are achieving more than we are, which can lead to feelings of envy, discontent, and anxiety. It’s also not the whole story.”

But for kids who use social media, their posts (and those of their friends) may seem to be all that matters. Undoubtedly, the results of this study are frightening, especially for parents. So what can they do to help their children?

For one thing, Instagram encourages users to report bullying on the app. While it may not always solve the issue, Instagram’s policy chief Michelle Napchan told the BBC how the platform has implemented recent changes to address the problem.

“We know that comments posted by other people can have a big impact and that’s why we have recently invested heavily in new technology to help make Instagram a safe and supportive place,” said Napchan. “Using machine learning technology, offensive comments on Instagram are now automatically blocked from appearing on people’s accounts. We also give people the choice to turn off comments altogether, or make their own lists of banned words or emojis.”

Parents should also keep a close watch on their child’s online activities and pay attention to how they behave after scrolling and posting. Encourage the entire family to unplug at a certain time to recharge their bodies, minds, and devices. Focus instead on meditation, breathing, nature walks, and journaling when kids are struggling to deal with anxiety due to internet use. Experts also recommend keeping the lines of face-to-face (rather than digital) communication open to ensure children feel comfortable confiding in their parents about instances of bullying.

Ultimately, adults need to rethink their social media use, too, says Lauren Seager-Smith, chief executive of Kidscape, a U.K. charity.

“We are living in a culture of antagonism. That sadly is the climate our children are growing up in,” she told the BBC. “The jury is out on quite how damaging social media is and whether we all need to spend less time on such networks. Often parents are equally addicted and they have to ask what impact that is having on family life. It could be time for them to say that there is more to life than social networks and the glossy picture of life that it often shows.”

 

Does Your Child Have A Learning Disability? Parenting Tips To Know

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When your child gets diagnosed with a learning disability, it is easy to fall into worry. You may be concerned about their performance in school, social life, and general success. But as a parent, your job is not to worry about their potential learning disability. Your job is to give them all the support and tools necessary to have the best possible childhood and independent adulthood.

“All children need love, encouragement, and support, and for kids with learning disabilities, such positive reinforcement can help ensure that they emerge with a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, and the determination to keep going even when things are tough,” Helpguide writes.

So, how can you begin to give your child the support they need after a learning disability diagnosis? Follow these tips to get started.

    1. Communicate with their teachers. A recent survey found that 96% of parents think that proper instruction can make up for a learning disability. And oftentimes, this can be true. Following the diagnosis of the LD, your child might be placed in a special education or integrated classroom with teachers trained to develop their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Be sure to talk to their teachers about IEP details and how you can help support their learning.
    2. Remember that they are more than their LD. This is one of the most important emotional support tips for parents. Just because your child has a learning disability does not mean they change as a person. While it is important to talk to your child about their LD, avoid language that makes it a defining characteristic.
    3. Remember to work with your partner. Parenting a child with any type of special needs can be a strain on a partnership. If you are raising your child with a partner or spouse, be sure that you are making a joint effort. Counseling may also be a great way to keep your relationship strong while parenting. In fact, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists found that 98% of couples who received marriage counseling were satisfied with the outcome. A counselor can give you strategies to make your parenting styles work in tandem.
    4. Limit screen time. While there are many educational videos and other online resources catered to specified learning, it is still important for your child to develop their mind through active play. Research has also pointed to the damaging neurological effects of excessive screen time. Spending the majority of time away from the screen will boost creativity, sensory skills, and socialization. So, while 70% of Americans use the Internet on a daily basis, this does not have to include your child.
    5. Keep their experiences inclusive. You may also be worried that your child will be bullied or left out of activities. As a parent, you can do your best to prevent this by making all of their experiences inclusive. This includes activities like school field trips, sports leagues, and summer camp. Just because your child may have more challenges than other children does not mean they can’t participate in the same activities. It just means that they may need additional support to get involved.

With the right support and resources, your child can thrive with their learning disability and learn to celebrate their differences. As a parent, do not hesitate to reach out to all available networks. Family, friends, educators, and therapists are just some of the individuals who can help your child succeed both academically and otherwise.

Rachel Ehmke writes on the Child Mind Institute website that aiming at and celebrating small victories can make all the difference, creating the momentum your child needs.

“It is important to set kids up for success — not failure — as much as possible,” she writes. “Teachers, therapists, and parents should consciously set modest, achievable goals that children can work towards meeting. When a child sees proof that she is making progress she will be more motivated to continue putting forth that extra effort.”

 

Paw Lickin’ Good: Peanut Butter Treats That Are Safe for Your Pooch!

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If there’s one thing most dog owners can agree on, it’s that resisting the urge to feed your pooch treats from your dinner plate is not an easy task. From the big, pleading eyes to little paws tapping at your lap, the tricks are seemingly endless. And what’s worse: you know that treats shouldn’t make up any more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to your puppy problem, and it doesn’t even require that much skill! Are you ready for this?

Homemade peanut butter dog treats. For some people these handy little kitchen projects may already be a staple, but if this is your first time looking for recipes for dog treats, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn just how simple it can be to create healthy treats for a happy dog.…

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Excess Screen Time Could Give Your Baby Speech Delays, Study Finds

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You may want to think twice the next time you put your child in front of a screen. A recent study presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting found that infants and young toddlers who look at screens for more than 30 minutes per day are more likely to have speech delays, USA Today reports.

The four-year study involved 890 children between the ages of six months and two years. Results show that for every 30 minutes in front of a screen, a child had about a 50% increased risk of delayed speech once they learned how to talk. Jenny Radesky, assistant professor of developmental pediatrics at the University of Michigan, said in a statement to USA Today that detrimental screen time still includes “educational” programs targeted at these youngsters.

“Please don’t buy into the marketing claims from baby TV stations or from baby-oriented media, because the evidence shows that they are just looking at the lights and…not comprehending what’s on the screen,” she said. “Those are critical months in terms of language development and getting out and exploring their 3D world.”

Children’s brains are highly vulnerable during their early years, constantly open to new information. Up until the age of eight, children are able to naturally acquire language skills. This critical period in early language acquisition is so important that some individuals are making moves to legally ban or control screen time before a certain age. Voguereports that Tim Farnum, an anesthesiologist in Denver, CO, is collecting signatures to introduce a bill that would ban children under 13 from purchasing smartphones.

“[With smartphones], the internet is always begging for your attention,” he said in a statement to The Coloradoan. “The apps are all designed to addict you…For children, it’s not a good thing.”

There are other reasons to fear excess screen time, too. A 2015 study found that excess technology use also leads to a number of physical issues in addition to psychological, including weight gain and illness. Recent studies also show that one one out of ten of us only exercise a few days per month. Well, it turns out that today’s younger generation may not be far off from that — the average teenager gets as much physical activity as today’s senior citizens.

The solution to this? Controlling how and when our children use technology. Michael Robb, director of research at Common Sense Media, said in a statement to USA Today that screen use should be monitored on a case-by-case basis by parents. In fact, by selecting the right media to show your children in small increments, you can retain the educational purpose of some childhood shows and videos.

“The concept of screen time itself is almost meaningless,” he said. “It’s not about the time, it’s about the content. It’s about the context and about the child themselves.”

 

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