My teenage son is withdrawing from real life and spends all his time online. Should I be worried?
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The teenage years can be a rollercoaster of emotions, and while some behavioral changes are completely normal, it’s important to recognize when your teen is isolating and experiencing changes in behavior or mood.
Here are some warning signs to look out for:
- They consistently have trouble spending time without access to technology. They may complain that they are unhappy or bored when they cannot access their gaming devices.
- Online activity disrupts sleep, performance at school, and interpersonal relationships.
- Changes in mood and emotions such as irritability, feelings of emptiness, sudden outbursts of anger, emotional numbness, or a lack of motivation.
- Withdrawal from social interactions or isolation from friends and family.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
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For more info check out Digital Parenthood's Youth Mental Health resources.
If you notice any of these signs in your teenager, it’s important to seek support from a mental health professional.
Other questions
How can I decide if an online game is safe for my child?
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There are many questions you can ask yourself to determine if a game is safe for your child. Here are a few that our friends at Kidas recommend.
How do I set up a Parent Pin on Roblox? What’s it for?
Lock access to your child’s Roblox account settings by creating a four-digit PIN. Once enabled, there will be an additional layer of security to protect their account details — including your password, email address, and privacy settings.
My 8-year old wants to play Fortnite. Is it safe?
Only you can determine what is appropriate for your family. Many parents refer to The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings when making these types of decisions. The ESRB has given Fortnite a T (Teenagers) rating with a Content Descriptor for Violence and Interactive Elements.
Does taking away devices hurt or help kids learn better habits? I’m afraid it just teaches them how to be sneakier…
Taking devices away from your children can be difficult — you want them to understand the importance of time away from screens without resentment.
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