James Donaldson on Mental Health - How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers

Both experts interviewed for this article agreed that the best thing parents can do to minimize the risks associated with technology is to curtail their own consumption first.

It’s up to parents to set a good example of what healthy device usage looks like.

Most of us check our phones or our email too much , out of either real interest or nervous habit.

Kids should be used to seeing our faces, not our heads bent over a screen.

Establish technology-free zones in the house and technology-free hours when no one uses the phone, including mom and dad.

“Don’t walk in the door after work in the middle of a conversation,” Dr.

“Don’t walk in the door after work, say ‘hi’ quickly, and then ‘just check your email.’ In the morning, get up a half hour earlier than your kids and check your email then.

Give them your full attention until they’re out the door.

And neither of you should be using phones in the car to or from school because that’s an important time to talk.” Not only does limiting the amount of time you spend plugged in to computers provide a healthy counterpoint to the tech-obsessed world, it also strengthens the parent-child bond and makes kids feel more secure.

Kids need to know that you are available to help them with their problems, talk about their day, or give them a reality check.