Self-Esteem and Social Media
For healthy self-esteem to form, positive feelings toward oneself must be cultivated from within. Unfortunately, social media teaches children to seek approval and affirmation from others, which then teaches them to equate self-worth with what others think of them. The feel good effects of getting a “like” on social media have been compared to the brain response when eating chocolate or winning money. This means that kids have instant access to a dopamine-inducing activity while their brains are still developing. Obviously, this is a recipe for disaster, particularly
for young children.

Some of the ways children seek approval online are:
1. How many "friends" they have online
2. How many "likes" they receive on what they post
3. Comparing how they stack up against other kids
4. The feedback they receive on a selfie or video they post

Children with anxiety may feel safer communicating online but continually doing so can intensify their fears of person-to-person interaction.

What you can do to help:

• Remind your child that real connection requires facial expression, tone of voice, body language, and mutual self-disclosure. Without these, empathy and intimacy will not form.
• Help them practice and sharpen their inter-personal social skills.
• Help your children embrace their strengths and teach them that self-esteem and self-worth are not dependent on other people; it's what we feel about ourselves that is important.
• Explain to your child that social media is largely an illusion, and it is not a good indication of their own worth.
• The most important thing you can do for your child is to limit the amount of time they spend on social media.

Doreen