Categories
Teens

Teenage Mental Health and Social Media

Teenagers these days seem to have it harder than ever. They must keep up with school, extracurricular activities, jobs, friends, and family members. However, in addition to all the normal teenage pressures, teens these days are also faced with the pressure of social media. Clarity Clinic is very well placed to help you if you are struggling with the online pressures that face you today.

Social media can be a very helpful tool. It can serve to promote businesses and keep people informed. However, social media can also have a dark side. There is an inordinate amount of pressure that comes along with maintaining a public persona. No matter how popular one is on social media, it is common to feel the pressure that comes along with it.

Teens in today’s world may suffer from mental health issues that can be made worse by social media. If you suspect the teen in your life is dealing with mental health issues, it’s always important to reach out to a residential behavior treatment centers. They can assess your teen’s mental health and start them on the road to feeling more like themselves. Sometimes it is good to speak to a professional about mental health issues and you can find some at Claritychi.com.

Because social media is so prolific in today’s society, it’s important to understand the impact that social media can have on teen’s mental health. In this article, we will delve into the complications that can manifest due to social media and examine what you need to know about social media and teen mental health.

What are the Current Social Media Platforms?

Before moving into how social media can impact teen mental health, it’s important to examine the various social media platforms that are popular today. This will allow you to understand exactly what your teen is dealing with on a daily basis.

  • Snapchat: Snapchat is very popular these days. It automatically deletes messages, allowing for an additional layer of privacy. Users can also elect to have messages stay visible for 24 hours. Furthermore, participants can share “stories,” which other users can view for 24 hours. Snapchat also features a variety of popular photo and video filters that teens in particular love to use.
  • Twitter: Twitter is slightly less popular amongst teens and tends to target a somewhat older crowd. Users typically share text or photo posts on Twitter. Many celebrities and politicians have verified Twitter accounts.
  • Instagram: Instagram is popular across all ages and demographics. Instagram features photos and videos, and you can also share a temporary “story” for 24 hours. This social media platform is popular among teens, but it can be dangerous for self-image due to the high number of aspiring models on the site.
  • Facebook: Facebook is a very popular social media platform, but it’s not the main one amongst teens. Facebook tends to attract an older crowd, and it is also an excellent platform for business promotion. Users can share text, photos, or videos, and they can also add a temporary “story” for 24 hours.

Does Social Media Have Positive Effects?

The main reason why people enjoy social media is that it helps them stay in contact with their friends and family members. It allows people the chance to stay in touch even if distance or circumstances are separating them.

Additionally, social media allows people to share information, news, and stay informed. It is very helpful when it comes to spreading political messages and disseminating important information.

Furthermore, social media allows people a space to express themselves and show off their talents. Many people love sharing art, music, and achievements via social media, and they are often encouraged by their peers

The Effect of Social Media on Teen Mental Health

Though social media has many positive effects, it can also be harmful, especially to teens. Some of the negative effects of social media on teen mental health are:

  1. Depression: Depression is a complex issue. There are many reasons why teens may start feeling depressed, and social media certainly can’t be held fully responsible. However, social media has been shown to encourage depression in some teens.

Social media can become addictive. The majority of teens check some form of social media every day. This can lead to teens becoming increasingly depressed the more they engage. In particular, it has been shown that social media can be linked to low self-esteem, which can be a precursor to depression.

  1. Anxiety: Social media has also been shown to promote anxiety in teens. Because teenagers are constantly seeking approval in the form of “likes” and comments on social media, the pressure to succeed can be intense, leading to feelings of anxiety. Of course, there are ways to manage this and one of the most common options comes in the form of online therapy, such as is available from https://www.privatetherapy.com/about/online-therapy/.

Additionally, due to the natural ranking system inherent in social media, teens may feel as though they’re constantly competing with their peers. This can raise their anxiety levels and make them feel as though they’re never able to relax because they’re always being viewed.

  1. Jealousy: Jealousy is another natural result of social media. Many teens who use social media find themselves being extremely jealous of others on the platform. They may be jealous of photos, videos, or simply how popular the other person is.

Unfortunately, often photos and videos can be edited, creating an unrealistic expectation for body image. However, teens often do not consider this fact and rather spend time comparing themselves to others, only to determine that they come up short.

  1. Sleep deprivation: Finally, social media can also result in sleep deprivation. Unfortunately, teens who become addicted to social media may spend a lot of time browsing their profile as well as others’ profiles and news feeds and thinking of things to post. While it may not seem like this would take up much time, some teens can spend all night obsessing over social media. When this happens, sleep deprivation is a natural result. Many parents tend to resort to natural remedies like salt lamps and candles, procured from websites such as Thelamplife and similar others, to help their children alleviate stress and sleep well.

While sleep deprivation is serious for anyone, it’s particularly dangerous for teens. Teenagers still have developing brains. Thus, they require sleep and nourishment even more than adults. When a teen is sleep deprived, they may experience moodiness, depression, anxiousness, or any number of other conditions.

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Social media is a complex issue. There are many positives that come along with social media engagement, such as maintaining your community of friends and family, and sharing important news.

However, teens in particular are also negatively affected by social media. Their mental health can suffer if they are too engaged with social media or particularly sensitive to its effects. Social media can result in poor self-esteem, causing anxiety and depression. It can also cause its users to become addicted, which can result in damaging consequences such as sleep deprivation.

Teens these days have a difficult road ahead of them. However, they can always be helped as long as they have people in their lives looking out for them. If you or someone you love is experiencing distress as a result of social media, make sure to reach out to a mental health professional. Remember that there is always hope, and you don’t have to fight your mental health battles on your own. There are many facilities you can check out, so find many mental health facilities for teens today!

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Lifestyle Newborns Teens Toddlers

The Sale Bestsellers at Childrensalon

Summer is calling and so is the Childrensalon BIG end-of-season sale! With up to 40% off clothing, shoes and accessories for boys and girls, Childrensalon has the perfect edit to add a drop of sunshine to their warm-weather wardrobes for less.

Burberry Ivory Knitted Wool Polo Dress

Was £240, now £168

Smart and comfortable, this ivory polo dress for girls is by luxury British brand, Burberry. Made in a softly knitted Merino wool and cotton blend, it has stylish beige, black and red striped trim. The skirt is pleated and the dress fastens with branded buttons on the front.

Selini Action Girls Red & Blue Swimsuit

Was £65, now £46

Girls pretty navy blue and white striped swimsuit by Selini Action, with red ruffles and trims. It has gathered tie details by the legs and a matching bow on the front. Silky smooth, the front side is lined for added comfort.

Monnalisa Blue Denim Embroidered Jeans

Was from £125, now from £88

With a washed and worn look, these slim fit denim jeans for girls are by Monnalisa. They have pretty floral and bead embroidery on the front, a velvet logo tab on the back, and blue grosgrain logo ribbon trims down the sides.

Sonia Rykiel Paris Black Cotton Logo T-Shirt

Was £73, now £44

Girls black T-shirt by French brand, Sonia Rykiel Paris. Made in comfortable cotton jersey, it has a colourful address plaque for the designer printed on the front.

Givenchy Pale Pink Cotton Logo T-Shirt

Was from £135, now from £81

A pretty pale pink cotton jersey T-shirt for little girls, by luxury Italian brand Givenchy. It has capped sleeves with a colourful embroidered logo on the front. There are branded pink popper fastenings on the back.

Chloé Blue Cotton Chambray Dress

Was from £115, now from £69

Lovley for younger girls, a blue chambray cotton dress by Chloé, beautifully patterned with the brand’s arabesque ‘C’ designed by Karl Lagerfeld in white. Lightweight, it has dark blue chambray trims and cute ruffles on the straps.

DKNY Black & Red Cotton T-Shirt

Was from £32, now from £22

Black, white and red cotton jersey T-shirt for boys by DKNY. It has the brand’s ‘#IAMDKNY’ logo in neon orange and black across the front.

Dolce & Gabbana Boys Red Swim Shorts

Was £115, now £69

Boys red swim shorts by luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana, with a colourful crab print. They are lightweight, with soft mesh lining and have an elasticated drawstring waist.

Moschino Baby Yellow Cotton T-Shirt

Was £66, now £40

Yellow Mini-me T-shirt for little boys and girls by Moschino Baby. Made in soft cotton jersey, with a multi-colour logo print on the front.

Kenzo Kids Grey Logo Zip-Up Top

Was from £107, now from £75

Boys casual grey zip-up top by Kenzo Kids, made from soft cotton jersey. Mid-weight, it has gently ribbed trims with a blue and red, Dragon Multi Iconic print. The brand’s classic Tiger motif is embroidered on the front, with a black ‘Kenzo Paris’ logo.

Ralph Lauren Baby Blue & Red Cotton Shortie

Was £65, now £39

Baby boys polo shortie by Ralph Lauren, made from soft cotton jersey in blocks of navy blue, red and white. The brand’s Polo Pony logo is embroidered onto the chest in blue.

MSGM Red Logo Sliders

Was £55, now £39

Red sliders for boys and girls by MSGM, with white logo print on the soft fabric lined straps. The footbed is moulded for added comfort and there are cropped logo print on the sides of the soles.

Shop the Childrensalon sale here

WWW.CHILDRENSALON.COM

Categories
Teens

4 Gifts for Teenagers this Winter

If you’re not a teenager buying for another teenager, it can be hard to know exactly what they might like. Fashion, crazes, and trends are routinely changing, and what’s considered new and a must-have one week can fall out of favour the next, or so it seems.

Gift buying shouldn’t ever feel like a task or be a chore that you despise. Instead, you should be excited to give your present, and feel confident that the recipient will enjoy the gift, and be appreciative. If you’ve got a teen to buy for, then be sure to take note of the following list and figure out how to make them happy and, most importantly, get it right.

Cosiness

Wanting to feel warm in winter is universally sought after, regardless of age. You want to feel comforted, taken care of, and nourished. With this in mind, you can’t go wrong with items such as blankets, cushions, warm furry slippers to be worn inside, a large encompassing dressing gown, scented candles, and a hot water bottle with a real fur cover.

Winter days are long, bleak, and dark, and lighting is crucial to feeling snuggly and comforted. So, a small bedroom lamp could be the answer to different gift considerations, as well as a bookshop voucher so that they can select a publication of their choosing.

Driving lessons

Most teenagers are eager to get behind the wheel of a car and have their own freedom. Booking them in to receive a block of four lessons should fill them with joy with winter and make them hugely excited to get driving on the roads, hopefully in time for summer. If they’re yet to pass their theory test, then purchasing the necessary literature and covering the cost of the examination should also be massively appreciated. If you wanted to be even more organized you could potentially look into buying them their own car for when they finally succeed in passing their driving test. If you were curious about financing you might want to use an invoice price calculator as a tool for helping you to buy that all-important first car.

Sports gear

Many teens adore being a part of their school, college, or university sports teams. Sports gear and equipment can be extraordinarily expensive, however, and finding the funds as a student can be a worry and near downright impossible. Many students returned to their education courses in September and joined sporting teams, or begin playing soon after as the prime sporting season starts.

Ask them what they need, and what’s going to improve their performance in order to consider what to buy them. If they’re into a trendy sport like pickleball, a pickleball set could be a great option. In cases like these, however, it’s best not to choose yourself as they will ultimately know best, so taking them shopping is going to be your best approach in this situation or giving them money.

A spa experience

There aren’t many individuals who wouldn’t enjoy stepping in from the cold for a day and relaxing in saunas and beside a heated swimming pool at the spa. Not only do they provide the ultimate fix of relaxation and contentment, but they can help to boost wellness and feelings of happiness and self-confidence.

Many spas feature massage facilities, so think about booking the teen in your life to receive a head massage, hot stone massage, or luxurious full body massage. Before going ahead and booking the spa day and treatment, be sure to seek the go-ahead that this is something that they might enjoy, as not everyone would relish in the idea. Perhaps mention your own experience having attended and gauge their reaction. Ask them whether they like the sound of it without giving too much away.

Categories
Lifestyle Parenting Tips Teens

How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Cyber Bullying

There’s no doubt about it, the internet is a poaching ground for cyber bullies. Everyone is a keyboard warrior until you face them in real life and chances are these kids are dealing with issues in their own homes and need to feel superior by bullying minors who take offense easily. Cyber bullying is a real thing and unfortunately, in some cases, parents don’t even know it’s happening to their kids.

Categories
Teens

Four Ways To Protect Your Teen On The Road

It can be scary to watch your teen get their driver’s license and finally start going out on their own behind the wheel. The statistics can look pretty scary, as well, when it comes to teens and accidents. That’s why it is important to discuss driving with your teen before that start venturing out on their own.

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Parenting Tips Teens

Paying Parents: Funding Your Teens Gap Year Plans

Although you understand how important it can be for your young adult to experience what is considered to be a rite of passage when they decide to make gap year travel plans, it can create a financial burden that you have to contend with.

Here is a look at how reliant children still are on their parents to help them with the financial assistance they need to make their gap year happen, plus an insight into the typical costs involved, how to work out a budget, and tips on getting some financial aid.

Parental payments still on the agenda

Although the general concept behind an overseas gap year travel trip is the that it provides the opportunity for your child to gain some independence and fend for themselves, it seems that there are still plenty of parents who are called upon to fund their travel trip.

The total amount that parents are estimated to contribute towards their children’s gap year travel plans is north of $100 million annually, and this means that you will probably be looking at spending several thousand on ensuring they turn their plans into a reality.

Some parents even think about obtaining a personal loan to help them with the cash they need to cover any shortfall in funding after taking into account any savings and fundraising activities your child has done to earn some money towards the total sum required.

Calculating the cost

The aim is often to try and do the gap year on a tight budget and with economy as a key criteria but even allowing for that budget-minded mindset there are a number of costs that will need to be found.

Travel insurance is an important consideration and not something to skimp on in order to save money. On top of that, parents are also often asked to pay for flights and accommodation plus some money for food and other expenses. And if the teen wants to do some form of independent travel, like hiring a camper van for a cross-country road-trip, then there needs to be a thorough inquiry about the expenses it will incur and how to prepare for it.

Add all that together and it could come to a significant sum of money that you will have to find your child to be able to take their gap year and have everything they need.

Getting some extra financial assistance

Funding a gap year tends to involve a combination of several different cash generating options, so alongside cash from parents, fundraising activities, and any savings already earmarked for the trip, it makes sense to see if you can get any financial aid as well.

There are various options potentially open for gap year students and you should aim to look into program-specific scholarships and grants to see if your child meets the various requirements that allow them access to some much-needed financial assistance.

There are many different schemes and options available so it might take a while going through all the relevant ones to see which one seems most suited to your gap year student child.

It is well worth the effort trawling through all the schemes on offer to find the right one, especially if you are offered some cash towards the trip that helps to ease your own financial burden and makes the trip more affordable.

Categories
Teens

Top spots to raise teens

Because happy kids make for a happy household