Getting Your Teen to Detach from Toxic Technology

Getting Your Teen to Detach from Toxic Technology

A study was released just this year that shows some very depressing statistics. Of 5600 children between 12 and 17 surveyed, 34% had been cyberbullied, with 17% of those being within the last 30 days. That included name calling, threats and cyberstalking.

That isn’t the only concern to consider. Facebook has been found to exacerbate depression, anxiety and self esteem issues. For teens it can be especially harmful, with social media sites like Instagram and Snapchat giving an unrealistic view of how people’s lives actually are. Even positive images and habits online can become a problem if it goes too far.

For all the wonder it provides, technology can be toxic in the extreme. Teenagers have constant access to this toxicity, with their smartphones always at hand, bombarding them 24 hours a day. We have to help them to disconnect, otherwise we could lose them to the negative effects of the digital age.

Getting Them Away From The Screen

The number one thing you can do for your teen on this issue is to get them away from the computer, phone and other screens and into the real world. Family time is good for their development, emotional well being and overall health.

You obviously can’t provide this all the time. But you could set up a couple times a week where the whole family comes together and does something as a unit. Some ideas include:

  • Playing board games.
  • Going out to dinner.
  • Going for a walk.
  • Going for a bike ride.
  • Going for a hike.
  • Taking a weekend trip.
  • Camping out in the backyard.
  • Take a class together.
  • Go to a movie.
  • Have a home movie night.
  • Go to the park.
  • Check out local family events.
  • Volunteer together.

You can also have some nightly family time. One of our favorite activities in my home is for everyone to cook dinner together at night. That requires a later meal time but it is a great way to come together and deconstruct after a tiring day.

All of this won’t keep them 100% safe, sad to say. But not only will it limit their exposure, it will improve your relationship and make them more likely to come to you if something is wrong. Being close opens up a line of trust and shows them that they can tell you anything that is bothering them.

Find out more about this and other topics at Parent Learning Center.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

6 Aug, 2017

Recent Posts

Finding the Right Boys Home For Your Teen Son

Finding the Right Boys Home For Your Teen Son

Finding the right solution for your teen son who may be in crisis is essential to ensure his future is steady, stable, and on the right track. Teen boys struggling with mental health or behavioral issues often need therapeutic intervention. The right boy's home can...

Improve Teen Grades in 6 Easy Ways

Improve Teen Grades in 6 Easy Ways

Parents usually think teens are just being lazy when they have bad grades. And for some kids, that could be true. But many teens aren't lazy; they just need to learn how to study or organize properly to be successful in school. Others teens have ADHD and other mental...

Defiant Teenager Help and Resources

Defiant Teenager Help and Resources

When your little one was born, there are good odds you were warned about the terrible twos and threes being the most problematic years to deal with. In truth, the pre-teen and teen years can bring with them the most challenges for parents. Your teen may be slipping at...

How CBT is Improving Teen Therapy

How CBT is Improving Teen Therapy

A practical therapeutic approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, examines how the environment and preconceptions influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to teach people how to identify irrational thought processes that...

What Happens When You Kick Out Your Teenager

What Happens When You Kick Out Your Teenager

As much as you love your teenager, there may come a day when you look at your options for having them leave your home to protect yourself and the other family members better. You may have tried just about everything you can think of to try and get your troubled teen...

Winter Activities to do with your Teen

Winter Activities to do with your Teen

Winter can be a challenging time to find fun and engaging activities to do with your teen. Sure, it’s easy to leave them with an iPad and a movie, but unless you want them mindlessly scrolling all day, there needs to be a bit more structure to your cold-weather...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *