May 20, 2022 – May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and a good time to check in with your children about their screen time and online interactions. Screen time and social media can affect children’s mental health, but the issue can be quite complex. Common Sense’s research shows that tweens and teens turned to entertainment and social media for creativity and connection during the pandemic. But a recent survey also uncovered that although teens spend about 90 minutes a day on social media, many have conflicted feelings about it. If your kids feel stressed or anxious, listen to them and validate their feelings. Then help them think about their screen and social media habits, and set healthy limits with their devices.
This week’s tip comes from Connected Schools at Common Sense.