Any adolescent would be able to tell you that a hashtag is used on social media to group information together by topic, theme, or content. Search #Prom2018 and you will certainly find a plethora of prom photos posted on Instagram. Sometimes it also provides an opportunity for teens to cleverly caption a photo and obtain more likes or followers, #squadgoals. Nevertheless, the purpose here is simple. Just as we strive to be culturally competent across racial and ethnic groups, we should also strive to learn just as much about adolescent online culture, especially if adolescents are the primary population of clients we are working with. As you’ll see in the next section, the more you know, the better questions you can ask!
Any adolescent would be able to tell you that a hashtag is used on social media to group information together by topic, theme, or content. Search #Prom2018 and you will certainly find a plethora of prom photos posted on Instagram. Sometimes it also provides an opportunity for teens to cleverly caption a photo and obtain more likes or followers, #squadgoals. Nevertheless, the purpose here is simple. Just as we strive to be culturally competent across racial and ethnic groups, we should also strive to learn just as much about adolescent online culture, especially if adolescents are the primary population of clients we are working with. As you’ll see in the next section, the more you know, the better questions you can ask!
Assesing for an addiction to Social Media
Assesing for an addiction to Social Media
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
Mindfulness for Media
Scrolling through social media is a mindless activity. It becomes habitual to click on certain apps immediately upon entering a password into a phone. The goal of this activity is to work with adolescents to be more present and aware of what they are doing online. Through this process, clinicians may help adolescents minimize their emotional reactions to online content by practicing mindfulness techniques.
How many likes will I get?
What time of day should I post this?
What filter should I use?
Is this good lighting?
I need to get more followers.
I need a better caption.
IS YOUR
MIND FULL?
What should my hashtags be?
This soup is wonderful.
OR ARE YOU
MINDFUL?
The flavors are perfectly paired.
I want to share this for others to enjoy, too.
Mindfulness is being fully aware
in the present moment
and learning to practice acceptance
to remain non-judgmental
about yourself or others.
Non-
Judgemental
Graphic adapted from Mindfulness with Children and Teens by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson.
Mindfulness
Acceptance
Awareness
Being Present
Non-
Judgemental
How to practice mindfulness online
Step One: Practice!
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Mindfulness may seem effort-full at first, but with practice, will become more effortless.
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Step Two: Ask Yourself...
References
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Crane, R. (2017). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Distinctive features. Routledge.
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Creswell, J. D. (2017). Mindfulness interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 491-516.
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Garland, E. L., Farb, N. A., Goldin, P., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2017). Mindfulness Broadens Awareness and Builds Eudaimonic Meaning: A Process Model of Mindful Positive Emotion Regulation. Psychological Inquiry, 26(4), 293-214.
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Gu, J., Strauss, C., Bond, R., & Cavanagh, K. (2015). How do mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction improve mental health and wellbeing? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mediation studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 37, 1-12.
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