Today, puberty has become a particularly complex and stressful time for many young people. Social, school, and family pressures, combined with physiological and hormonal changes, can have a significant impact on adolescent mental health.
In addition, there are a number of other sources of stress and anxiety that would arise, among other things, from the intensive use of social media, as a new study by researchers from University College London recently showed.
Worrying Symptoms
In our community social pediatric centers, my colleagues and I have also been able to observe serious psychological problems in young people who spend several hours a day on social networks, such as , behavioral problems and higher levels of anxiety in their daily lives.
These symptoms are not to be taken lightly. They open the door to much more worrying issues like mental stress, emotional overload, and depression.
Recently, Rémi1, a 16-year-old attending one of our Social Pediatric Centers, has completely changed, most likely due to the way he uses social media. I met him when I was about 8 years old and he was always a pleasant and ambitious, helpful and sensitive person. He has been exposed to various forms of trauma, changing schools, parental conflicts and bouts of bullying on a daily basis.
He held on and managed to keep all his thoughts in his head. I saw him again a few weeks ago, completely transformed. He complained of constant tiredness, he had lost all motivation, he refused to take a shower and even to leave his room. He could easily spend over 12 hours a day on social media. We saw a child without a flame, his eyes extinguished. He hadn’t been to school for a few months. Invaded by the screens, Johan felt lost, unable to find his true person. He confided in me that several times he had imagined his suicide.
awareness required
Knowing that 89% of young Quebecers aged 12-17 use social media for at least 2 hours a day2, we cannot ignore the problem. We need to educate young people about the harmful effects of social media and provide them with resources to help them deal with these challenges.
As with any child in need, we begin by putting ourselves in a state of passive listening, recognizing their talents and passions, and offering them alternative solutions to social media without imposing anything on them.
Let’s be patient and persevere without weakening even in the face of a major blockage. The young person needs to feel our goodwill and interest in accompanying them in their recovery and success. I am convinced that with his trust he will let us act like a real life coach and will gradually offer possible solutions himself.
Photo courtesy of Mathieu Deshayes
dr Giles Julien, Social pediatrician, founder of the Dr Julien Foundation