Doctors urged to ask early teens about their social media usage

By Staff Writer

Since the creation of Facebook, many teens and young adults haven taken to the internet to participate in the phenomenon. However, some adolescents have used it so much that they become addicted and ultimately become depressed and isolated.

A recent report by Time Magazine reveals that pediatricians may start asking children about their Facebook usage. The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on doctors to incorporate questions about social media usage into regular visits.

Many experts are worried about dangers such as sexting and cyberbullying, which have become prominent issues facing today's technology-driven children. Social media sites such as Facebook may lead teens down the road to depression because they can become more isolated by spending a significant amount of time on the internet.

Parents may consider enrolling their child in boarding schools to assist them in overcoming their internet addiction. Individual and wilderness therapy sessions are a part of an overall regimen to help them increase their self-confidence and self-esteem.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 15 percent of teen females compared to 7.5 percent of adolescent males will have a case of clinical depression in their lifetime.