Maine Teens Take Control: Reducing Social Media for Better Well-Being
Meet Elliot, Eva, and Hazel, three Maine teens who decided to limit their time on social media, and guess what? It’s made a big difference in their lives.
Elliot, a 15-year-old from Brunswick High School, found himself spending hours on Instagram Reels. Soon, he noticed it was affecting his workouts and focus. So, he decided to cut back.
Eva, a 16-year-old junior at the Ecology Learning Center, used to spend a lot of time on Snapchat and TikTok. She realized that comparing herself to unrealistic beauty standards on social media was taking a toll on her self-esteem. She decided to make a change.
Hazel, a 17-year-old senior at Brunswick High School, increased her TikTok time during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it left her feeling miserable. With support from her mom, who is a pediatrician, Hazel took control, reducing her screen time and eventually deleting TikTok.
Why did they do it? Research suggests that excessive social media use can impact focus, sleep, body image, and mental health. The U.S. Surgeon General even called social media a “key player in many drivers of unhealthy behaviors.”
Dr. Laura Blaisdell, from the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, explains that social media apps are designed to encourage too much use, especially for adolescents whose brains are still developing.
For these teens, limiting social media meant more than just setting boundaries. It required self-reflection and understanding how it was affecting them. Now, they feel more in control and independent.
The U.S. Surgeon General is encouraging tech companies to be transparent about their products and share data with researchers. Policymakers are also urged to fund more research and strengthen safety standards.
Remember, it’s essential to be mindful of how much time we spend online and its impact on our well-being.
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