Check In With Yourself Before Checking Social Media

To help readers cope with these stressful times, TOI has launched Talk it Out, a series under which expert counsellors will answer your mental health queries. This week’s advice is from clinical psychologist Dr Manoj Sharma

- Dr Manoj Sharma 

My teenage daughter is addicted to Instagram. She spends hours scrolling and ends up ordering useless clothes and jewellery, because she sees influencers wearing them. It is very tough to get her off social media and she prefers it to spending time with the family. How can I help her regulate her social media use?

— Anonymous

Before controlling a problematic behaviour, it is important to understand the reason that it is there in the first place. Is it because she wants to find a place among her peer group, or she feels that she is not good enough on her own and following influencers will make her look cool and more attractive? The best person to answer these questions will be your daughter. However, it seems that she might not be able to trust family members and open up. So, it is important to initiate a conversation with her in a non-threatening and friendly manner, trying to understand her reasons for social media use, whether she has any insecurities and trying to address them. It will help her to stop seeking validation from the virtual world and investing more time in the existing relationships. When the reason for excessive internet use is addressed, the internet use automatically comes down.