Teens Social Media Safety Mental Health [Podcast Episode 18]​

Summary

Mandi pulls together a few different interviews for a panel discussion on social media safety, especially for teens, especially given the recent announcement from our Surgeon General that social media can have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and wellbeing of children  and adolescents.

About 95% of teens today use some sort of social media. And one third of them said that they use it “almost constantly.” Our teens and tweens are facing a mental health crisis, a good deal of it due to constant social media use.

Special Guests for panel discussion:

• Caleb (Mandi’s son) and his fiance, Amanda

• Detective Robers and from the D.A. Office, Cyndi

• Veronica, Education Outreach Dept. Manager at Laura’s House

Lessons Learned

Lesson 1 = Really think about what you post, even on a “private” account

Lesson 2 = Be smart. Don't show personal information in the background of your photos or share your exact location either. Turn off “Location Services” in your phone.

Lesson 3 = With gaming and social media, make sure that you know who you're talking to and only connect with friends that you know, or friends of friends.

Lesson 4 = Don't photograph or share anything that you don't want your grandma to see!

Resources

Recent news about teens, social media and mental health here and here

The Log Off Movement

Apps Habit Lab / Rescue Time / Bark / Moment / Covenant Eyes

NEW! If you've found help here and would like to help sustain the podcast project, buy the host, Mandi, a coffee. Coffee Cheers!

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared or her website where you can find out if you're doing her 10 Top Tips to Stay Safer! Grab the free download at the bottom of the site!

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.