MALIBU, Calif., Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dr. Nalin of Paradigm Malibu Treatment Center explains, on Two Way Radio, the connection between the time teens spend online, the activities they do online, and their self-esteem. He also gives powerful advice for parents on how to teach teens healthy and safe use of technology.
Dr. Nalin wants teens to know that self-worth is not based on how people react to them online. It's okay to share the real you online. He reminds us that building relationships is a process that should take much more time than a connecting online.
When use of the internet begins to interfere with other areas of life, your teen may have an addiction, which is often associated with mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. They may act obsessed with being online, turning to the internet to relieve these feelings loneliness or anxiety.
"Internet use is not problematic in and of itself. It becomes problematic when young people either, use it as a way of avoiding facing the significant emotional material that naturally emerges during adolescence which causes it to get suppressed, or they use the internet in a way that promotes an inauthentic perception of themselves to others and then that inauthentic view becomes their own internalized self-view. Once those things become solidified, it is only a matter of time before the chasm collapses." - Dr. Jeff Nalin
Too much time online can hinder the development of a teenager. They get less sleep than they need for proper daily functioning. Being online too much also prevents your teen from participating in activities with their peers, leading to a dysfunction in their social abilities.
Behavioral disorders such as internet or gaming addictions can be treated. It is possible for teens to learn realistic and healthy ways to reduce anxiety and depression. In addition, there are better ways to increase self-esteem.
Internet addiction programs for teens focus on controlling impulsive behaviors, recognizing triggers and learning to build authentic relationships offline.
Programs such as Paradigm Malibu have implemented treatment specific programs for teens to deal with internet and gaming problems. They have the professionals, programs and therapeutic techniques to help your teen find balance with the internet and real life.
SOURCE Paradigm Malibu Treatment Center
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