The use of social networks has intensified in times of social isolation, which generates degrees of dependency that are not healthy.

During the pandemic, children and adolescents have spent most of their time at home and have found a way to keep in touch with friends and family. However, some began to develop a certain degree of dependence on digital platforms. Parents must be attentive to the time their children are connected to Facebook, Tik Tok, WhatsApp, and online games.

For Mary Castro, Psychologist of our clinic, these apps are very attractive to young people because they show up-to-date information, have striking designs and colors, allow socialization, create links with people from different places, and allow to express ideas and feelings.

“These types of networks are fascinating for children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18 because their interests change very quickly”, she explains. Also, she recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time daily, since the intensive use of networks generates an unhealthy degree of dependency.

Warning signs:

• Anxiety. When children do not have a telephone or a laptop nearby, they feel anguish, restlessness, impatience because they need to go online to review content.
• Irritation. Children become upset or show exaggerated anger when asked to stop using the device or loses sight of it.
• Sleep disturbance. When children spend many hours at night checking the social networks of their friends and public figures and no longer sleep the necessary hours.
• Isolation. Children isolate from the family and social environment and show little interest in sharing with other people.
• Stop fulfilling responsibilities. Both at home and with the family, during the day.
• Spend too much time in front of a screen. Start missing other areas of their life.

Adherence to social networks is a particularly complex addictive behavior. It is difficult to refrain from their total use since there are devices with an internet connection, even free. In this regard, the psychologist offers the following recommendations:

To parents:

• It is necessary to have communication with children. It does not take many hours, just to have specific, but productive moments.
• Pay attention to the interests of adolescents. Now we find a lot of content on social networks and most parents have one or two social networks, so we can easily obtain information.
• There is always time to share in family, even small moments. It is essential to observe adolescents.
• Parents must communicate and agree on how to educate their children.
• Establish a time limit for the use of technological devices.

To children and adolescents:

• Distribute the time between different activities of interest where you use technology and others where it is not necessary.
• Recognize that time can be spent on social networks or gaming platforms, but there is also time to communicate with friends or family.
• Identify a responsible and trustworthy adult to consult (preferably parents) to clear up doubts about the proper use of digital platforms.

PTo treat social media addiction, you must first analyze the situation. Both the family and the patient must admit that there is a problem, which generates emotional and behavioral disorders. Therapy can be managed by a Psychologist and complemented by a Psychiatrist, who can prescribe medicines if deemed essential.

Lcda. Mary Castro
Psychologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma

Source: El Peruano Newspaper