Social media is designed to be addictive; known harmful. Why do your kids have it?

[Anonymous]

Being left out is harmful for kids too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have it and why are you on here if it is so harmful? That's the better question.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

NP. Are you saying it’s not possible for a teen to be on social media and not be depressed? I guess, in other words - Do you believe it is possible for a teen to be exposed to / have access to social media, and be mentally well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

NP. Are you saying it’s not possible for a teen to be on social media and not be depressed? I guess, in other words - Do you believe it is possible for a teen to be exposed to / have access to social media, and be mentally well?

I think it absolutely possible and quite likely that social media is not making most teens clinically depressed. But I will go on record saying that social media absolutely affects its users’ mental wellness in negative ways—whether they’re willing to admit or or not—and that the cumulative effect of that has been bad for society overall, which in turn continues to have a detrimental impact on mental wellness. I know it’s not going anywhere, but I’ll keep my kids from stewing in that morass for a long as I can. If you’re fine with it and your kids are fine with it, good for you. Do what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

So your oldest is 8? 10? I know your type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

NP. Are you saying it’s not possible for a teen to be on social media and not be depressed? I guess, in other words - Do you believe it is possible for a teen to be exposed to / have access to social media, and be mentally well?

I think it absolutely possible and quite likely that social media is not making most teens clinically depressed. But I will go on record saying that social media absolutely affects its users’ mental wellness in negative ways—whether they’re willing to admit or or not—and that the cumulative effect of that has been bad for society overall, which in turn continues to have a detrimental impact on mental wellness. I know it’s not going anywhere, but I’ll keep my kids from stewing in that morass for a long as I can. If you’re fine with it and your kids are fine with it, good for you. Do what you want.

Thanks for the response. FWIW I think I agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

So your oldest is 8? 10? I know your type.

Why do you assume that? My oldest is 15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

So your oldest is 8? 10? I know your type.

Why do you assume that? My oldest is 15.

If they don’t have social media, you are not qualified to remark on how it’s affecting their mental health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

So your oldest is 8? 10? I know your type.

Why do you assume that? My oldest is 15.

If they don’t have social media, you are not qualified to remark on how it’s affecting their mental health.

Geez, you REALLY love social media for your kids (and likely yourself). I know your type, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

So your oldest is 8? 10? I know your type.

Why do you assume that? My oldest is 15.

If they don’t have social media, you are not qualified to remark on how it’s affecting their mental health.

Geez, you REALLY love social media for your kids (and likely yourself). I know your type, too.

Yet here you are. So much hand wringing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't. I'm hoping they thank me later. Oldest not yet in high school, though, which is when it may be hard to hold out.

My closest childhood friend works for one of the big Silicon Valley companies. Her kids go to "Forest School" and she tries not to let them see the parents on devices at all. She's seen into the belly of the beast and knows enough to be scared.

I have two in high school in fcps. Neither has it.
They are doing just fine.

That’s cool. So are all the kids I know who do have it. We can share anecdotes all day.

Sure Jan

I know for some strange reason you want to believe all teens are depressed and mentally ill, but they just aren’t. Sorry to…disappoint you?

DP. You think if a kid isn’t showing signs of full blown depression or mental illness that social media isn’t possibly affecting their mental wellbeing?

No, but neither is it accurate to say that ALL or even MOST teens who have social media are negatively affected by it. It simply isn't true. The people asserting that either don't have teens at all, or their teens are not on social media, so they have no idea.

Depends on how you define “negatively affected.”

So your oldest is 8? 10? I know your type.

Why do you assume that? My oldest is 15.

If they don’t have social media, you are not qualified to remark on how it’s affecting their mental health.

Geez, you REALLY love social media for your kids (and likely yourself). I know your type, too.

Yet here you are. So much hand wringing!

This site is a massive waste of time and is addictive and is terrible for my mental wellbeing, but we both know this is not the type of social media we’re talking about when it comes to kids and teens.