Introduction: What is Social Anxiety Disorder? Symptoms and Treatment

Social anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that often affects people in social or performance situations. It is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, and it can affect children as well as adults.

The symptoms of social anxiety disorder are:

- Feeling very self-conscious in social situations, like speaking to a group or meeting new people

- Feeling shy and uncomfortable around other people

- Feeling worried about how you come across to others

- Avoiding social situations because they make you anxious, or feeling nervous before entering them

What is the Link between Social Media and Kids’ Anxiety? Impact on Mental Health

Social media has become a part of our everyday lives. We are constantly checking our phones, scrolling through Instagram, TikTok-ing, Tweeting & more. However, there is a dark side to social media that many people don’t know about. Social media has been linked to increased anxiety in kids and teens.

Social Media can be a source of anxiety for kids and teens because of the pressure to portray themselves as perfect online and the fear of being judged by their peers. With the rise of social media, teens are now aware that they are being judged by their peers on their every move which can lead to feeling isolated or depressed.

How can we Support Our Children to Build Resilience Against Social Media's Negative Effects?

Resilience is a process that takes place over a long period of time. It’s the ability to bounce back from adversity and to grow from the experience. Building resilience in children can be done by making sure they have a balance of social and solitary activities, as well as an understanding of what it means to be confident in themselves.

Time away from social media, education around each platform and how they work, real world activities, solid interactive & social games can all help build resilience against social media’s negative effects

Conclusion: The Future of Youth Mental Health in an Age of Technology

What do you think needs to be done in the age of technology to combat mental health and some of the damaging effects of social media?