All posts tagged: PA Feature WELLBEING Social Media

Why your teenager might get withdrawals from social media – and how to manage it

Why your teenager might get withdrawals from social media – and how to manage it

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore As the Government continues to tease a complete social media ban for under-16s, many are questioning how such a move could affect teenagers, given that stepping away from social media can initially trigger withdrawal-like symptoms. Even adults often find it difficult to resist the temptation to constantly check their phones. “While social media withdrawal is not formally recognised in the same way as withdrawal from substances, the experience can feel very real, particularly for teenagers and young adults,” Dr Vica (Victoria) Khromova, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cygnet Health Care, said. Experts consulted on the matter shed light on why adolescents in particular can experience social media withdrawal symptoms and how they might be managed. What are some key signs of social media withdrawal? Being forced off social media can have an impact on your mood. “Irritability is a big …