This is sad. As a parent of a grade-schooler, I feel helpless with a complete lack of awareness around this. It feels as if everyone is calming their kids with opiates and Xanax, and no one bats an eye because that's what everyone else is doing.
Even if you're aware of the mental health issues associated with social media use, you have the option of either giving up and losing your kid to the phenomenon, or giving them FOMO and complexes by depriving them of a phone.
The only positive trend I've seen is school districts banning smartphones. That could relieve some of the social pressure to hook your kid up with a smartphone so early in their life.
Even if you're aware of the mental health issues associated with social media use, you have the option of either giving up and losing your kid to the phenomenon, or giving them FOMO and complexes by depriving them of a phone.
The only positive trend I've seen is school districts banning smartphones. That could relieve some of the social pressure to hook your kid up with a smartphone so early in their life.