Essena O’Neill pretended to have the perfect life. She posted glamourous selfies after glamorous selfie, and companies sent her beautiful clothing. She quit social media last week, revealing that it was all contrived. Instagram (among other social media platforms) made it possible for her to look flawless. Instagram is the new place to look perfect. […]
The internet may seem scary, but it does not have to be. Surfing the internet can be unsafe, but so can rock climbing, skiing, driving, and many other worthwhile activities. All risky activities can be enjoyable and life-enhancing given the proper instruction and tools. As a parent, it is your job to provide your children
The Best Internet Safety Tool: It’s Not What You Think Read More »
“I wake up staring at my phone. I fall asleep to the glow of the very same screen. I think about whether leaving social media would make any difference. It probably won’t, and yet I can’t bear to look away.” Author Michael Seidlinger contemplates our societal fascination with social media in a new Buzzfeed
Most of us have heard of the “Facebook effect”: that more time on social media is associated with higher levels of depression and more life dissatisfaction. However, a new study has found that the users’ emotional responses after using social media vary based on which social media platform they use. University of Michigan researcher
One Social Media App Makes Us Happier Than Others Read More »
A new study suggests that social media is more addictive than either alcohol and cigarettes. Researchers from University of Chicago’s Booth Business School surveyed 205 people and asked them throughout the day what they were craving, then whether or not they had fulfilled that craving. Social media came in ahead of both alcohol
The more research is published, the more it looks like too much Instagram or Facebook has consequences for teens’ health. Just like adults feel pressure in the age of smart phones to be constantly available to their jobs, teens feel some of the same pressure to be constantly engaged in messaging and social
Studies find too much social media is bad for teen health Read More »
Two new studies on social media offer valuable insight for parents. The first study indicates that teens and tweens check their mobile devices late at night and early into the morning. Night time social media use is linked to poorer sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression. Dr. Heather Cleland Woods, the
Two New Social Media Studies Offer Food For Thought For Parents Read More »
Do you SnapChat? If so, you are one of 100 million people who love to send quick “Snapz” to friends or family. Even if you are not a part of this social media craze, you probably have heard plenty about the app as well. After all, SnapChat = sexting, right? Not necessarily. Just like
In this new age of technology, children are practically born reaching for the latest (or nearest) electronic devices. Maybe you vowed that your child would never be tainted by exposure to a screen, or maybe it just wasn’t a big deal to you. Regardless of your initial opinion, your child was probably introduced to videochatting
Pinterest is one of the most popular social media networks right now, but it operates a little differently than Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This post will give you an idea of how Pinterest works, some possible safety hazards, and whether or not your teen is ready to join. A couple decades ago, some people
