Stress and Social Media

As part of our unit on stress, we are focusing in on social media and the impacts on teens.  It is a very interesting phenomenon, that we are just now starting to understand.  Please use the link below or follow the QR code provided in class to read the articles.   The first is an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.  You will need to focus on this one as these types of articles can be dry.  It is full of information, and I'd like your take on it.  

http://research.fit.edu/sealevelriselibrary/documents/doc_mgr/1006/O'Keeffe_and_Pearson._2011._The_Impact_of_Social_Media_on_Children,_Adolescents,_and_Families.pdf

The second is a CNN study on social media and teens.  

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/04/health/being13-social-media-teens-parents-stress/

Finally, a report out yesterday:

http://thenewdaily.com.au/life/2015/11/08/teen-social-media-anxiety-depression/

After reading, watching and researching, I'd like you to do the following:

Summarize the research and discussions in a one page paper to be shared with your parents this evening when you get home.  I have sent an email home notifying parents of your assignment.  

At home, you will:

1. Share your paper with your parents.
2. Discuss the issues that you've listed.
1. Are they an issue in your life?
2. Are these just adults over-reacting?
3. Is there any correlation between increased stress levels of today's youth and the amount of time online?
3. Develop a list of real concerns (minimum of two) you have in relation to how much time and energy is spent on social media or gaming.
4. Come up with a strategy to manage time online and reduce stress.
5. List those and the stresses/anxieties created by constant interaction online. 
1. For example:  "I am constantly checking to see how many 'likes" I get on a post".  or "I wake several times a night checking my instagram".  
6. Finally, I'd like a sentence or two from your parents as to how cell phone/online engagement is impacting you.  You and your parents may see this completely different.  I'd like you to see this as well.  

These will be due Thursday the 12th in class.   I don't give homework often.  Please take time to do this right.  Remember:  I need your parents to write up a reaction to your discussions.