Every Hour Your Teen is Online Increases Depression | Amanda & Darik

By Admin on July 16, 2019

We know too much time spend on screens and social media is bad for us, but how do we stop?

A new study says “For every additional hour young people spend on social media or watching television, the severity of depressive symptoms they experience goes up, (JAMA Pediatrics).

The details of this study are scary! We know it’s bad for everyone, but for teens it’s especially risky.  But how do we stop this?

The Problem  

• Researchers at UCLA’s Brain Mapping Center found that when teenagers/ photos get lots of likes on social media apps, such an Instagram, their brains respond in a similar way to seeing loved ones or winning. 
• 32 teens took part in the experiment with brain scans showing how the part of their brain (nucleus accumbens) linked to rewards — became especially active 
• Being appreciated on social media, through “likes” was seen in brain scans to activate the reward centers of the brain.
• Reward centers of the brain are thought to be particularly sensitive during adolescence, which may partly explain why teenagers are such avid social media users

The Solution

It’s obvious we need to get our teens to unplug more.  I tried installing limits through the Apple Family Sharing App, but my kids confessed to me they found hacks around it!  There are a plethora of apps that will provide limits and controls, but let’s face it, kids are smarter then their parents when it comes to technology.  They will find a way around them.  I think the only way to truly limit their screen consumption is to take the phones away.  I’m going to start cracking down.  Here’s some ideas I have, I would LOVE your ideas please! 

• Strict NO PHONE rule during dinner. 
• Take phones away at night and return in the morning

What measures have you taken to limit your teens screen/social media time?  Do they work?