Interesting article and I agree limiting social media is key. It’s been shown to be addicting to children and its affects on children’s self esteem and emotional health can be devastating. The challenge is that it is close to impossible to avoid social media until high school. Pretty much every kid in our community is on Snapchat, Instagram and tiktok by middle school. Limiting your own child becomes socially isolating. And, Most kids will find a workaround if parents ban it completely and then as parents, we lose even more control over our children’s exposure. Social media is pretty much unavoidable and I think the best defense is open line of communication and active participation. My kids discuss with us what is going on and this gives us an opportunity to discuss what content is acceptable and what is potentially harmful to others (Or themselves.)

Giving children a creative outlet separate from social media is very important, an instrument, an unplugged hobby, sacred unplugged family time, community service activities. These will help keep kids balanced and counter some of the negative effects of social media on their self image.