OREGON, Ill. (WIFR) – The U.S. Surgeon General says there is not enough evidence to determine whether social media is safe for everyone to use. That’s one reason he said the Oregon School District wanted to bring the community together to address this issue locally.
“I see a lot of parents grappling with this issue, and they wonder what the big deal is. Everyone does it, but how much of an impact does it have on their children? They don’t really understand what’s going on,” said parent Monica Benton.
Monica Benton is a mother of five children. Her youngest child is 14 years old. She limits her teenage children’s social media time to approximately her four hours a week. She is also a mental health counselor.
“Many young people are heavily influenced by social bullying and come to us with false information about conditions that are not available to them.”
Mr Benton attended Wednesday’s session to learn more about what solutions can be put in place to keep children safe on social media.
“I actually liked the deal he made. I think it’s good to put that into practice, even in your own home, and make sure you have it in writing.”
According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 Mental Health Recommendations, there are positives, such as forming and maintaining relationships, and negatives. Some studies point to depression, poor eating habits, and lack of sleep associated with cyberbullying.
“Many of us didn’t grow up in the age of social media, which means we look at it from a completely different lens than they do.”
Oregon Elementary and Middle School Vice Principal Shannon Cremeans said the district has counselors and social workers in elementary school buildings. While this has helped some students, most parents would like to see a solution they can implement, such as parental controls or bedtimes for these devices.
“If you have a good relationship with them, you’ll be better able to notice when something doesn’t feel right, especially for several days in a row.”
Kevin Pokey, a licensed clinical social worker, has spent the past two days discussing this issue with several students and staff members in the Oregon School District. The solution, he says, is to learn to be a responsible social media user.
Polky also recommends the “grandma rule”: don’t post on social media if you don’t want your grandma to see it. Parents can also restrict use to specific spaces, such as just the living room.
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