You’ve said yes to the phone—maybe because your teen needs it for school, sports, or staying in touch. Like most parents, you’re doing your best to balance safety, independence, and connection.
But with screen time rising and social media more influential than ever, it’s normal to wonder: Is this affecting my child’s mental health?
According to Drs. Kari Stausmire and Kathryn McHugh, both family physicians who work closely with adolescents, the answer is yes—screen time and social media can absolutely take a toll. “Study after study shows that social media is terrible for kids’ mental health,” says Dr. McHugh.
That doesn’t mean you have to take the phone away—but it does mean it’s time to get proactive.
If your teen already has a phone, here are five practical steps you can take to help protect their mental and emotional well-being.
Here are five steps every parent can take:
1. Know what they’re doing online
If your teen already has a phone or social media access, don’t hand it over and walk away. Stay involved. Ask what they’re watching, check who they’re talking to, and look for signs of unsafe interactions.
“Communication is great,” says Dr. McHugh, “but make sure it’s with actual human beings. There’s an entire world of talking to strangers—and now even AI friendships—that can become very dangerous.”
2. Create tech-free zones
Phones don’t belong in bedrooms—especially at night.
“Plugging in the phone to charge in a space that maybe it’s not accessible—like not in the bedroom,” suggests Dr. Stausmire. This habit supports better sleep and sets healthy boundaries.
3. Ask, don’t accuse
Instead of banning apps or interrogating your child, ask open-ended questions that invite honesty. “Teenagers lie,” Dr. Stausmire says bluntly. “So instead of saying, ‘You're not allowed to have it,’ ask: ‘I heard this can happen on social media—have you ever seen that?’”
These small shifts in how you talk can lead to big shifts in what they’re willing to share.
4. Watch for mental health red flags
If your child suddenly loses interest in activities, avoids friends, or spends all their time on screens, it could be more than tech fatigue. “There are signs,” says Dr. McHugh. “If they’re not doing the things they used to enjoy, like not hanging out with friends—that’s when you should pay attention.”
5. Try one new boundary this week
Not sure where to start? Keep it simple. Try saying: “Let’s both charge our phones outside our rooms this week and see how it feels.” Setting a shared boundary encourages teamwork—not control—and gives your child space to step back from constant screen exposure.
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About Halifax Health
Halifax Health is the leading healthcare provider for Volusia and Flagler counties, offering a comprehensive range of services through a network that includes a tertiary hospital, two community hospitals, an urgent care network, psychiatric services, and a specialized cancer treatment center with multiple outreach locations. As the area’s only provider of a Level II Trauma Center, Center for Transplant Services, and a Pediatric Emergency Department staffed 24/7 by board-certified pediatricians, Halifax Health is also home to the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services. In addition, Halifax Health has collaborated with UF Health to bring over fourteen specialties to the area.
Recognized for excellence and innovation, Halifax Health consistently receives top ratings, multiple accreditations from CARF International for inpatient rehabilitation, and the prestigious Novalis Certification of Excellence for its cancer treatment center. The organization has also achieved a 3 Star Rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgery for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, is designated as a Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital, with high performance in heart failure, knee and hip replacement, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart bypass surgery and TAVR procedures. In addition to being the region's longest-standing Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach has consistently earned AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Honor Roll. With a legacy of excellence and community service since 1928, Halifax Health continues to set the standard for quality and compassionate care in the region.
