(BPT) - In today's digital age, young people spend more time than ever glued to screens. While technology has its benefits, excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on mental health, physical well-being, and social development. According to Blue Shield of California’s “ BlueSky Youth Mental Health Survey ,” youth report spending an average of 5.
6 hours per day on social media platforms alone, leading to concerns about the impact on their overall health and happiness. Paula Ambrose, who leads the BlueSky youth mental health initiative at Blue Shield, emphasizes the important role that caring adults play in helping youth strike a balance between screen time and other activities. "Heading into summer is another great time for parents and caregivers to talk with young people about screen time and social media," said Ambrose.
“Today’s youth are digital natives, so some adults might feel like teens know more than they do about the safe and healthy use of technology. Guidance from a caring adult is invaluable and it’s not just about setting rules; it’s also about leading by example, putting our own tech down, being present and engaged.” Here are five tips from Ambrose to help young people avoid the “social media surge” this summer: Resources.
