36 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2018
PRESS HEALTH
IS SOCIAL MEDIA HARMING OUR YOUTH?
Worried about the negative effects
of social media on teens? Here’s what
to look out for:
CYBERBULLYING
In online interviews with 813 teens
between the ages of 13 and 17, plus 809
parents of teens, the National Cyber
Security Alliance (NCSA) found 23 percent
reported experience with online
harassment or bullying and 24 percent
said they’ve felt pressure to participate.
“Cyberbullying has become a
mental health challenge for a lot of
young people,” says Laura Campbell,
director of education at Bellmore
based Long Island Crisis Center
and trustee on the board of the Long
Island Coalition Against Bullying in
Farmingdale. “It is a very threatening
thing to be a youth today and know
that in a second, someone could have
that kind of power to post something
you did wrong.”
Signs of bullying include increased
frustration especially following
phone use, lack of sleep, sloping
grades, anxiety, depression, and
decreased self-esteem. Parents who
notice these behavior changes should
“reassure your child that you’re there
to help and will include them in the
process,” Campbell says.
Listen. Validate. Help them to feel
empowered.
FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
For many teens, their world exists
in social media, says Campbell.
“They always want to be connected
and fear they’re missing out on something
when they’re not,” she says.
This is why most teens get anxious
when their phones are taken away.
Like adults, teenagers often post
highlights of their day, neglecting
to disclose unpleasant experiences.
“It therefore puts unrealistic pressure
on impressionable adolescents
to compete and be more concerned
about appearance and social status,
rather than more connected and nuanced
relationships,” says Dr. Julian
Herskowitz, Clinical Psychologist
Director, TERRAP Anxiety and PhobiaCare,
Huntington.
He notes that cyberspace can be a
lonely place.
“Much emotion and context is lost
if a person communicates more electronically
than in person and this
can add to feelings of isolation, being
different, or lowered self esteem,” he
says.
This may lead to “the emptiness
that can motivate drug use or abuse.”
Social media makes teens question
who their real friends are.
“Sometimes people will like their
posts and be friendly on social media
but then when they see them in person,
they’ll walk right past them and not
invite them to a party,” Campbell says.
Posted party photos only deepen
the wound.
INCREASED
DISCONNECT
Twenty-two percent of teens say
they often butt heads with their
parents about screen time while 26
percent of parents admit arguing
with their children about it, the
NCSA study says.
“It is up to parents to learn about
social media and how it fits into our
kids’ lives so they can learn to use
it wisely and safely,” says Shane G.
Owens, Ph.D., ABPP, psychologist
and president, Suffolk County Psychology
Association, Commack.
Today’s teens interact differently,
often more through social media
than face to face.
“This can keep kids from learning
important social cues and rules
for behavior,” Owens says.
There has to be a balance. Social
media doesn’t have to be negative.
With education, it can help to rekindle
old friendships, gain new ones
and connect with the world.
continued from page 35
Cyberbullying has become
a mental health challenge.
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