A recent fact check video presented by the Partnership to End Addiction focused on the link between Social Media and Substance Use. It brought to light some powerful truths that, for some teens, the line between the virtual world and the real world may sometimes become blurry.
Although social media apps and websites may be marketed as a safe, fun, online place to interact with family and friends, there is also a dark side that can shape the way teens feel about substance use. Social media may influence teens to experiment with dangerous substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, vaping, marijuana, and prescription drugs.
Companies like electronic cigarette producer JUUL take advantage of this to market addictive substances to children and teens even though it is illegal. Marketing tricks, like hiring social media influencers to promote vaping products and offering promotional giveaways to attract school-aged students, have helped create a new generation of youngsters hooked on nicotine.
Children and teens need adult guidance when it comes to the realities and dangers of social media usage. Parents should remind youth that what they post has the potential to adversely affect important relationships, hinder potential job opportunities, and impede their goals. A good tip is to get in the habit of pausing for a minute to think before posting to avoid sharing impulsive images and messages that you may later regret.
What Can Parents & Caregivers Do to Keep Children Safe?
*keep a watchful eye on their child's social media use and be aware of the sites they may be visiting
*discuss potential dangers of interacting over social media with people they don't know
*help teens think through consequences of online actions and dangers of participating in trending challenges
*remind youth that what others post may be how they want things to appear and not reflect reality
Teens must realize that after scrolling the internet, they will return to living in the real world. And that's the world we need to live our lives - not the virtual one.
For parents interested in viewing the informative video from Partnership to End Addiction and accessing other helpful resources, please visit:
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