Teens that spend more time updating their status, posting pictures, chatting and surfing online, are more likely to experience low self-esteem. Being a parent or guardian we all must know how teens’ leisurely time on Internet is turning them in to uncertain persons. The competition to have more followers, more comments and likes could harm their self-image and cause low confidence. Social media usage and self-esteem are directly linked but you could keep it healthy for them and give your best to stop the abuse.

Increased exposure – more pressure!

Teens are spending a number of hours on social media on daily basis. The more they stay logged in to the social networking site more they become likely to face low self-esteem issues and depression. Let me make it simple for you to understand with an Infographic presented by Common Sense Media.

Source: Common Sense Media.

According to this Infographic extensive social media usage can harm the self-esteem of both boys and girls. The most drastic impact is the harm to their body-image. The unrealistic and sexual images and below average weights are the reasons why social media has such a huge impact on teens. 87% female TV characters aged 10 to 17 have below average weight which might be very influential for the tens. Social media is developing stereotypes about the gender, body and looks. 41% of the girls said that they use social media to look cooler. This is how social media is imposing pressure on the teens to look good and avoid negative feedback and criticism.

What should you do?

Being a parent you could give your best in preventing such abuse of social media but the question is how? So let’s have a look at different options you could use to avert misuse.

Challenge stereotypes

You could question their assumption about appearances, gender and body. It’s important to know what your teens are thinking about their self-image and appearance to make the wise choices earlier. The stereotypes developed by social media could leave very negative impact so staying conscious of how our teens perceive themselves is really important.

Internet monitoring

You could help because they can allow you to monitor all of the Internet activities of your teens and you could put some restrictions too. If you want to make the Web monitoring easier then FamilyTime app is quite feature-rich and handy. It can assist you to fight against teens’ Internet obsession.

You can use it on all versions of iOS and Android devices and it’s available on iTunes and Google play, so you can access it any time.

Reduce screen times

It’s another attractive option; if you will reduce their screen times their likelihood to be a victim of poor self-esteem will reduce. You can get help from apps like FamilyTime for putting screen locks any time. This could allow you to lock their phones any time you don’t want them to use their smartphones.

How to Limit Screen Time on iOS Devices

How to Limit Screen Time on Android Devices

Uplift the teen’s self-esteem; digitally!

Boys and girls both can have issue with their body image, and the extensive social media is directly linked to it. Higher the social media exposures more teens’ will be vulnerable to experience low self-esteem. With FamilyTime you can make sure they have a safe exposure to the Web. Prevent the Internet abuse and keep the teens confident!