When used well, social media can help youth connect in the real world, whether it’s meeting up with like-minded kids, advancing their education, or engaging in healthy interests like art, music, or cooking classes. Avoiding social media altogether is nearly impossible these days; plus, it’s where many people find out about local events and activities—like art, music, cooking, hiking clubs, book clubs, you name it—that help them get out and socialize in the world. So, we want people on social media, but we want them to use it wisely.

When your kid comes to talk with you at the end of a school day, put the phone down and listen. Modeling this good behavior is critical

We also teach young people how to set limits on social media use

We also work on how to respond to comments while ignoring others that may be inappropriate and learning when to block people

Other than keeping you tethered to your phone all day every day, this fear of missing out encourages young people to constantly try to build up their social media profile in some way, which makes them take risks that can then put them in an awkward position or lead to bullying

So, it’s vibrating or dinging all through the night, keeping them awake. Part of this is attributed to the notion of FOMO, or fear of missing out

That’s why it’s so important to disconnect from all screens an hour or more before it’s time to go to sleep

If you stay online, you may get a false sense that the world is too hurtful or dangerous. A kid might feel, “There’s nothing out there for me. I can’t do anything. I might as well just lose myself in another season of whatever show this is.” And that’s not healthy. You don’t become a productive, contributing member of society

So, if kids are online less than a couple of hours a day, they’re doing really well. But for those who spend three to six hours or more a day, that’s when they’re getting into iffy territory

self-image and who they are, who is anxious about fitting in or what other people think about them, will inevitably compare themselves to the number of likes, friends, or followers other people have when they go online

dealing with conflict with peers—and instead increase their online presence, this can exacerbate their feelings of alienation, hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, and depression

spend more time online and reduce their real, face-to-face contact with other folks

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more time spent on social media, the more likely a person will experience mental health symptoms like anxiety, isolation, and hopelessness

Twelve and a half years old

It only interests me, but I feel sure John and Jennie are secretly affected by it

Jennie wanted to sleep with me—the sly thing! but I told her I should undoubtedly rest better for a night all alone

I have locked the door and thrown the key down into the front path. I don’t want to go out, and I don’t want to have anybody come in, till John comes. I want to astonish him. I’ve got a rope up here that even Jennie did not find. If that woman does get out, and tries to get away, I can tie her! But I forgot I could not reach far without anything to stand on! This bed will not move!

the bars are too strong even to try

Now why should that man have fainted?

I often wonder if I could see her out of all the windows at once. But, turn as fast as I can, I can only see out of one at one time. And though I always see her she may be able to creep faster than I can turn! I have watched her sometimes away off in the open country, creeping as fast as a cloud shadow in a high wind

But there is something else about that paper—the smell! I noticed it the moment we came into the room, but with so much air and sun it was not bad. Now we have had a week of fog and rain, and whether the windows are open or not, the smell is here. It creeps all over the house. I find it hovering in the dining-room, skulking in the parlor, hiding in the hall, lying in wait for me on the stairs. It gets into my hair

By daylight she is subdued, quiet

“My darling,” said he, “I beg of you, for my sake and for our child’s sake, as well as for your own, that you will never for one instant let that idea enter your mind! There is nothing so dangerous, so fascinating, to a temperament like yours. It is a false and foolish fancy. Can you not trust me as a physician when I tell you so?

I kept still and watched the moonlight on that undulating wallpaper till I felt creepy

There are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will

He said I was his darling and his comfort and all he had, and that I must take care of myself for his sake, and keep well

John says if I don’t pick up faster he shall send me to Weir Mitchell in the fall.

there was one chair that always seemed like a strong friend

I think sometimes that if I were only well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me

The paint and paper look as if a boys’ school had used it

having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition

You see, he does not believe I am sick!