Teen Anxiety & Depression Are Still on the Rise; Pros Say Online Exposure Is a Factor
Reports of teen anxiety, stress, and depression have continued to increase during the past several years, and mental health experts have indicated that there is one particular factor that seems to be taking a toll on the emotional well-being of adolescents: online exposure.
There's been a steady uptick in "sadness or hopelessness" among teens for more than a decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the issue. Mental health professionals are concerned, and although there are certainly ways parents can help children manage their emotions, it's most definitely not always easy.
Any parent of teenagers knows that getting through to them at all can be a huge obstacle. Teens are notorious for not wanting to hear what their parents have to say about, well ... anything. Teenagers typically turn to their friends for advice, but now in the age of social media and near-constant online exposure, that may lead to an even bigger problem.
The effects of virtual learning may have been a contributing factor.
Mental health experts and teachers alike largely believe that it is going to take years for students to get back on track after nearly two years of virtual and/or hybrid learning. Returning to in-person settings may have presented an even more significant challenge for teens.
"We are seeing a lot of young people who are struggling to engage in social interactions after schools shifted to virtual learning. Now, as kids are back in a somewhat normal routine of in-person instruction, they are experiencing social anxiety," Stacey Lurie, a psychologist at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in New York City, tells CafeMom in a statement.
Students from certain demographics are more vulnerable to anxiety disorder.
The experts at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, the leading center of adolescent healthcare in the United States, indicate that "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and female students" are more vulnerable to anxiety disorder.
Not only that, but CDC data also states that suicide attempts amongst Black teens were up by 50% in 2019.
Many students are simply overwhelmed with so much change.
"The shift to a virtual environment was challenging. And now, shifting back, it’s tough to handle all at once. Additionally, we are seeing more students struggling with attention difficulties, brought on in part by the virtual training model," says Lurie, indicating that increased online and media exposure — and a growing reliance on it — are contributing to the type of teen anxiety she's seeing among her patients.
The Internet, social media, and screens are necessary parts of life but should be monitored.
These days, kids need digital devices and internet access for everyday life almost as much as adults do. Not being proficient in safe Internet and social media use is only a disservice to your children. But parents should be actively involved in media planning for their teens and children.
"The reality is that most young children these days have smart phones and it’s a whole new territory for parents,” Lurie explains. “The good news is that parents can play a positive role and help their kids navigate screen use and social media."
Teens and their parents should collaborate to make a media usage plan.
Rather than being completely authoritative about media usage and screen time, Lurie suggests working with your teen to come up with a plan that makes them feel heard and empowered. She suggests families work together to decide on what their goals for screen time should be and to decide on screen time limits together as well.
Being too pushy with a teenager may incite a rebellious streak and can actually increase anxiety in teens, reports California's Paradigm Treatment Center.
"This is no small task, but it does help to bear in mind the somewhat new role of smartphones in kids’ lives today as lifelines to their entire community," Lurie says.
Modeling and creating an open dialogue are also valuable.
"I advise parents to think about upward social comparisons; this takes place when a teen sees others on social media looking like they are having the time of their lives. Parents can help their children become informed critics of what they are seeing on social media," Lurie tells us.
Basically, a teen is likely to be just as affected by seeing everyone else's "highlight reel" on social media as you are. Most of us know firsthand that the pressure and comparisons can become completely overwhelming, and the impact has the potential to send just about anyone into a spiral of negative thoughts.
"Keep an eye out for signs your child is not acting like themselves and keep the lines of communication open so you can help," Lurie suggests.
Be mindful of the consequences you dole out.
As most parents who've been at it for several years already know, our discipline tactics need to be constantly evolving. When consequences don't make sense to children, they aren't nearly as effective.
"An example of crossing this line would be to take a phone away as a form of discipline for poor performance in school, or something else the parent is not happy about," Lurie says. "As a parent, you can set new limits if you think your child is going overboard with screen time, but taking the phone away is akin to removing a lifeline," she explains.
So no, you don't need to eliminate screen time completely because your teen is exhibiting challenging behaviors or even because they are struggling emotionally — that will likely backfire. Instead, you should stay focused on monitoring online exposure and working with your child to manage their feelings and any possible negative impact of what they are seeing and doing online.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
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