During the summer, your teen probably has more time to spend scrolling through social media on their phone. It’s the season of vacations, swimsuits, festivals, and outdoor fun, so they may come across more content that’s designed to make them envious. 

In the long run, these messages can contribute to challenges related to a young person’s self-image and  self-worth. Summer can be a great time to do a “social media cleanse” and some curation to help your teen see more messages promoting mental health and positive attitudes.

In this article, we’ll share six ways parents can help their teens manage their social media use for better self-worth during the summer.

6 ways parents can help teens manage social media use for better self-worth

In 2023, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. This report offered a balanced look at social media. 

Murthy acknowledges that it can boost self-worth and mental wellness when used appropriately. When teens are left to their own devices (no pun intended), they may run into cyberbullies, influencers pushing unrealistic beauty standards, explicit content, threats, and more. Unlimited, unfiltered social media use is linked to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

The following are six ways you can help your teen manage their social media use for better self-worth during the summer:

• Model healthy social media boundaries yourself 

You can have better conversations about social media with your teen if you stay aware of your own social media use and try to be intentional about it. Be open about what you struggle with, whether it’s overwhelm from current events, comparing yourself to others, or something else. Create rules together about screen-free zones and observe them as a family.

• Help teens curate their social media feeds mindfully 

You can’t entirely control what your teen sees on social media, but you can help them filter their news feeds to be more positive and wholesome. Talk with them about the difference between the “highlight reel” of a person’s social media presence and real life. 

Encourage your teen to unfollow any accounts that trigger negative thoughts or comparisons and seek out content creators that promote body positivity and mental wellness.

• Create meaningful offline summer experiences 

Brainstorm some summer plans and activities with your teen that will make them want to put their phone down and be fully present. These might include summer sports, crafting, or water sports like kayaking and surfing. Help your teen find hobbies that will help them build confidence, and encourage them to spend time with their friends in person.

• Establish regular check-ins about online experiences 

This doesn’t have to be a very formal process. Just ask your teen some open-ended questions about what they’ve been seeing and doing on social media recently. The most critical thing is to listen without judgment. 

If they share something they’re concerned about, help them exercise their judgment and determine what they can do to limit their exposure to problematic people and content. Address any signs of cyberbullying, unrealistic standards, or predatory behavior calmly but promptly.

• Teach critical media literacy skills 

Recognizing enhanced photos, propaganda, and manipulative marketing is a critical life skill in the digital era. Point out examples in the media you come across, but be careful of criticizing the media your teens consume too directly. 

Try to be matter-of-fact about the consequences of these tactics and who benefits from them, and encourage your teen to question everything. For example, you might talk with them about how influencers might profit from promoting unrealistic products or appearances and encourage your teen to apply that thinking to the influencers they follow. 

• Recognize when professional support is needed 

When your teen’s social media use starts to affect their mental health, or poor self-worth interferes with their daily functioning, it may be time to seek professional help. Ask your teen how they’re feeling and what they’re noticing. Tell them about your concerns in a nonjudgmental tone, and ask what they think about seeing a therapist. If they have any hesitations, talk through them together.

Talk with your teen about their social media use today

When teens constantly compare their summer experiences to curated social media posts, their self-worth can take a significant hit during what should be a restorative break. Talk with your teen before the summer is in full swing. It’s OK if you don’t have all the answers. Supporting young people in an unpredictable and always-changing media landscape can be challenging. What’s important is that you open up a conversation and show your teen they can discuss these things safely with you. 

Social media is something we talk about a lot in Lightfully Teen programs. Young people are communicating through these platforms more and more. They want to be where their friends are, which isn’t always a bad thing. We try to help teens understand how social platforms and content creators influence their well-being and recognize when they’re being pushed past their personal boundaries.

Our licensed clinicians get to know each client so we can make treatment as personalized and relevant to their real-life experiences as possible. We use an approach called Precision Care Model (PCM). Instead of targeting specific symptoms, we help people manage four core life processes: their thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relationships. 

Are you looking for a professional who can help your teen with smart social media use and self-worth? Let’s talk about it. Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today.