Do you know what lurks behind every click and scroll in your child's digital playground?? Join host, Dr. Lia Gaggino and guest expert Dr. Ashvin Sood as they expose the alarming rise of cyberbullying among children. Where a simple 'like' can shape a child's self-worth, and a 'share' might lead to a spiral of anxiety. They’ll talk about the fine line between connection and addiction in the age of snaps, tweets, and likes, and find out how you can help your child navigate this complex landscape. Listen in as they do a deep dive into the intersection of social media and youth mental health, it's clear that there is a delicate balance between connection and caution. The concept of an electronic contract represents a pivotal step in managing our teens' screen time and setting clear boundaries. By facilitating an open dialogue and setting mutually agreed upon parameters, both parent and child can navigate the digital landscape with a shared understanding of what is acceptable online behavior. Make sure to catch Dr. Ashvin’s top strategies for harm reduction that every parent needs to know – it could be the conversation that changes everything for you and your teen.  

[00:33 -10:26] Social Media's Influence on Youth Mental Health

• Discusses the pervasive nature of social media and its role in the formation of adolescent identity.
• Features the developmental and psychological needs shaping youth identity within online platforms.
• Highlights possible mental health risks for children and teens from more online presence.
• Notes how social media shapes young individuals' self-identity through creative outlets.

[10:27 - 19:04]  Strategies for Safe Social Media Usage  

• Addressing delicate issues calls for tact to maintain open communication with youth.
• The dialogue about harm reduction should focus on safety and informed decision-making rather than abstinence.
• Creating a space where teenagers can talk openly about their experiences and questions regarding sex is crucial.
• These talks prepare teens to responsibly handle risks linked to sexual behavior.

[19:05 - 28:55]   Impact of Cyberbullying on Teen Mental Health

• Discussed intense scenarios of cyberbullying leading to suicides among teenagers.
• Analyzed a common form of cyberbullying: exclusion and group message targeting.
• Considered the emotional toll on a teen waiting for peers' responses in a group chat.
• Addressed the silent suffering and anticipation for social validation.

[28:56 - 40:34]  Managing the landscape of Mental Health in the Digital Age

• The child's online behaviors and the context of their chats were analyzed.
• Specific concerns were picked out for discussion to address potential mental health issues.
• The discussion offered strategies to lessen social media's harmful effects.
• Specialized tools for assessing children's social media use in psychiatry were featured.

[40:35 - 46:19]  Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Dr. Ashvin Sood

akingControlz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingcontrolz?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

PsychChild: https://www.psychchild.com/

Links to resources mentioned on the show

AACAP Screen Media Resource Center

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Screen_Media_Resource_Center/Home.aspx

SSM Health Treffert Studios

https://www.ssmhealth.com/treffert-center/resources/treffert-studios

Behind Their Screens

https://www.behindtheirscreens.com/

PsychChild: https://www.psychchild.com/

Other episodes you may like:

https://swiy.co/PediatricMeltdownPodcast

Ep 129 Adolescent Confidentiality: To Share or Not to Share

Ep 103 Talking to Teens and Parents: A Re-Frame with Dr. Ken Ginsburg

Key quotes for Twitter:

"Think of it as almost like a parent or clinicians Wikipedia guide to these games, and really trying to give you a nuanced approach to it." Dr. Ashvin Sood on the website psychchild.com

"If one profile goes down, they can use another profile. So it's not like it stops a particular bully and they kind of learn from it."  Dr. Ashvin Sood on Cyberbullying in the Digital Age

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