of age 10-19 years in the U.S. are diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or behavior/conduct problems.
Facts & Trends:
Among children ages 3-17 with a current mental health condition, just over half (53%) received treatment or counseling from a mental health professional in the past year, and 43% took medication for an emotional, concentration, or behavioral condition.
Receipt of treatment or counseling increased with age, from 36% of children ages 3-5 to 60% of children ages 12-17.
Symptoms:
Anxiety: Excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily activities.
Behavioral Disorders: Difficulty following rules, impulsive actions, and disruptive behavior.
Depression: Persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Trouble paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Challenges with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
Eating Disorders: Unhealthy focus on body image, disordered eating habits, and significant weight changes.
Teenagers who spend 5 hours daily on their smartphones are twice as likely to display signs of depression compared to those who spend less time.
Symptoms:
Excessive Use: Spending more time online than intended and neglecting other activities indicates a lack of control or management over tech usage.
Neglect of Responsibilities: Ignoring schoolwork, chores, or work duties due to excessive screen time.
Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because of late-night device use.
Mood Changes: Experiencing irritability, mood swings, and signs of depression & anxiety if unable to spend time online or utilize technology.
Social Withdrawal: Neglecting social face-to-face interactions, failing to fulfill responsibilities towards family, work, or school, and avoiding social gatherings due to excessive time spent on tech.
Physical Symptoms: Eye strain, headaches, or neck and back pain from prolonged device use.
Causes:
Accessibility: Constant access to digital devices and the internet.
Social Pressure: The need to stay connected with peers and fear of missing out (FOMO).
Instant Gratification: The immediate rewards (likes, comments, notifications) from digital interactions.
Escapism: Using digital devices to escape from stress, boredom, or negative emotions.
Design of Technology: Many apps and games are designed to be addictive, with features like endless scrolling and variable rewards.
Validation and self-esteem – The approval garnered from social media engagements and online interactions is addictive, making a person believe that more attention equates to higher self-worth.
Parental influence and role modeling – Parents’ tech habits & attitudes can impact a kid’s relationship with technology.
Available Treatments:
Counseling & Therapy: Pastoral / Biblical Counseling, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Family Therapy (MFT).
Digital Detox: Design a plan to reduce technology use and utilize the time to reconnect with friends & family or learn something new.
Family Support: Encouraging open communication within the family and creating a supportive environment for reducing screen time.
Setting Boundaries: Establishing time limits for digital device use and designating “no screen” times or areas at home.
Adopt healthy lifestyle choices – A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and engagement in offline social activities.
Social Media Overuse
30.0%
of age 13-19 years use social media more than once an hour
77.0%
of age 14-18 years have “frequent” social media use.
40.0%
of ages 8-12 years use social media, though commonly required minimum age of 13
Counseling & Therapy: Focusing on treating social media addiction through Pastoral / Biblical Counseling, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Family Therapy (MFT).
Detox Support: Gradual reduction of social media use under professional supervision helps minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Skill-Building: Learn coping mechanisms to resist the urge to relapse.
Community Support: Rehab connects you with others who understand your struggles, creating a sense of camaraderie.
Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear rules about screen time and device usage.
Encouraging Offline Activities: Promoting hobbies and activities that don’t involve screens.
Parental Involvement: Parents monitoring and discussing their child’s social media use.
Bullying occurs throughout middle childhood, peaking in early adolescence, and then declining throughout late adolescence
Reports of cyberbullying are highest among middle school students, followed by high school students, and then primary school students
Among students ages 12 – 18 who reported being bullied at school, 15% were bullied online or by text
The type of cyberbullying tends to differ by gender. Girls were more likely to say someone spread rumors about them online while boys were more likely to say that someone threatened to hurt them online
Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems both in childhood and adulthood; this includes an increased risk for psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
Counseling & Therapy: Focusing on treating social media addiction through Pastoral / Biblical Counseling, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Family Therapy (MFT).
Support Groups: Providing a safe space for victims to share their experiences and learn from others can be helpful.
School Programs: Implementing anti-bullying programs and social skills training can improve communication, problem-solving, and peer relations.
Parental Involvement: Parents should be aware of the signs of bullying and take action to support their children and work with schools to address the issue.
Counseling & Therapy: Focusing on treating social media addiction through Pastoral / Biblical Counseling, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Family Therapy (MFT).
Healthy eating: 1. Meet with a nutritionist to help adjust eating habits 2. Encouraging a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. 3. Focus on healthy habits as a family unit 4. Find out what your child eats at school
Physical activity: Promoting regular exercise and reducing sedentary behaviors.
Support and education: Providing ongoing support and education to families to help them make sustainable changes.
