This week, the US Surgeon General proposed to congress to plead for Warning Labels on the Social Media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. He reports that these platforms have a correlation to rising anxiety, depression, and body image concerns in children and teens.

Should there be Warning Labels?

In this video, we walk through the article in The Washington Post and begin a discussion about the impact of social media on families.

What are We Doing to Help?

At The Pursuit Counseling, we are working alongside local families and teens to help our community focus on their individual pursuits. Through individual counseling and our Live Well Workshops, we are working to help our next generation on their mental health. Just this week, Mary and Katie led a group of teens learn about healthy nutrition and body movement and the positive mental health changes that can come from fueling and moving our bodies in healthy ways. We partnered with Coach Noah from Go Performance to help provide evidence based research about healthy living in a fun and tangible way to these students. Thanks Coach Noah!

The benefits include: mental clarity, healthy doses of dopamine, regulating cortisol, and building healthy peer relationships. These Live Well workshops continue throughout the summer and we have a few openings left for the upcoming weeks. Click here to sign up for a future workshop.

How you can Help your Teens

One of the best ways to help your teens develop a healthy relationship with social media is to have necessary conversations with them about their mental health and the impact it is having on them.

Questions About Mental Health

1. How have you been feeling lately?
   • This open-ended question allows teens to share their current emotional state in their own words.
2. Are there any particular things that have been stressing you out or making you anxious?
   • This helps identify specific stressors or anxieties they might be facing.
3. How do you usually cope when you’re feeling stressed or upset?
   • Understanding their coping mechanisms can provide insight into their mental health.
4. Have you noticed any changes in your sleep patterns or appetite?
   • Changes in these areas can be indicators of mental health issues.
5. Is there anything you feel you can’t talk to anyone about?
   • This can help uncover hidden concerns or issues they might be struggling with.

Questions About Social Media Use

6. How much time do you think you spend on social media each day?
   • This helps gauge their self-awareness regarding their social media usage.
7. Do you ever feel overwhelmed or stressed by what you see on social media?
   • This question addresses the potential negative impact of social media content.
8. How do you feel about the interactions you have on social media? Are they mostly positive or negative?
   • This explores the quality of their social media interactions and their impact on the teen’s emotions.
9. Have you ever felt pressured to present yourself in a certain way online?
   • This can reveal issues related to self-esteem and peer pressure.
10. What do you enjoy most and least about social media?
    • Understanding what they like and dislike can help parents guide their teens towards healthier social media habits.

Tips for Parents

• Create a Safe Space: Ensure the teen feels safe and not judged while answering these questions.
• Active Listening: Pay attention, show empathy, and validate their feelings.
• Follow-Up Questions: Based on their responses, ask follow-up questions to delve deeper.
• Share Your Experiences: Relating to their experiences by sharing your own can make them feel understood and less alone.
• Encourage Healthy Habits: Discuss and encourage healthy mental health practices and social media habits.

About Us

At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Our services cater to individuals, families, and organizations, including adolescents in high school. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today.