Some Digital Parenting Perspective during Mental Health Awareness Week
October 1-7 is mental health awareness week so you’re likely noticing more stories and messaging on this topic in the places were your consume content. I’ll be honest, I really struggled with what I wanted to write this week. On the one hand it seems pretty straightforward that I address Mental Health through the lens of Digital Parenting. On the other hand, I don’t want to to pile on— parents are already worrying alot. Here’s where I’ve landed:
In case you missed it, the NYT did a great piece 2 weeks ago sharing insight into the lives of three 13 year girls in the age of social media. These girls have their struggles with parents, grades, friends, boys— that all will feel familiar. But the article also shows how social media amplifies and complicates these struggles. You can see the toll being 13 in the age of social media is taking on the mental health of these girls. You can imagine how it can get worse over time.
The take away for me is that the danger creeps in around the edges. Social Media isn’t the root cause of the problems or conflicts but its definitely contributing. The problems aren’t calamities but you can also see how any of them could’ve been way worse. Its worth checking out.
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If you read the article or anything else in this vein, its important to remember your own mental health. Here are my tips for digital parents during mental health awareness week.
Be open to good information. Do this by keeping perspective and an open mind. It is very easy to start feeling guilty or anxious about this topic. But also be critical in your thinking and of your sources. Ask questions.
Honestly assess your situation. Kids are a month or two into their new school year. How’s everybody doing? Any new struggles or concerns? Anything digital-specific that needs addressing or discussing? The landscape and our kids are constantly changing so our tactics may need to evolve too.
Start a discussion at home. The heightened attention on mental health right now is a great opening to discuss mental health topics with your kid. Is Mental Health something they are talking about in school? Are your kids seeing content about the topic? Have they seen or heard about the NYT article? Find out what they’re seeing and feeling about the topic. Or dive into on digital specific topics that you are concerned about: screen addiction, comparison culture and/or feeling left out are common ones.
Check in with yourself. How is your digital life? Not just your own digital habits but how are you feeling when you consume content on this topic? As much as we worry for our kids, we also need to take care of ourselves.
Take a break. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break. You might not be in the right head space to dive into this right now. That’s ok too.
This is hard. Parenting kids in the digital age is scary. You’re doing great.
This week’s article is free for everyone. Paid subscribers, be on the look out for an additional article later this week.
Love,
Sarah