Panel advises parents in ‘Mental Health and Technology’ session
MADISON – The fourth annual Mental Health Fair for Madison City Schools explored the topic, “Mental Health and Technology,” to advise parents on actions and boundaries for their children.
The event at James Clemens High School assembled local professionals that shared their experience to answer questions. Organizers recorded the meeting for anyone who couldn’t attend. To access the video, visit madisoncity. k12.al.us/domain/2411.
“Our goal is to raise awareness about critical issues surrounding mental health,” Stephanie Allen, MCS Mental Health Services Coordinator, said. The meeting focused on the dangers of technology.
The session opened with Bob Jones High School students commenting about social media:
• “It all comes down to how you’re using it. Social media can be a means of comparison or a way to meet new people.”
• Depending on the person, an insult, like “You’re ugly,” might encourage some to better themselves, but other people going through problems can let the comment drag them down.
• “I wish my mom knew that social media is a way of distancing without hurting anyone and distracting myself from other struggles that I’m facing.”
The expert panel included Sarita Edwards, mental health ambassador and President of Madison Council of PTAs; Dr. Edgar Finn, Medical Director of Wellstone Emergency Service – Pediatric Unit; Teresa Taylor-Duncan, Detective with Madison Police Department; and Leann White, Assistant United States Attorney.
Finn has witnessed a significant increase for adolescents who are dealing with anxiety and depression. “Youth are online for more hours per day than they are in a classroom. During the pandemic, it reached 7.7 hours daily,” Finn said.
‘Comparison culture’ causes youth to see celebrities or friends that make them want the lives they think these people have. The situation creates disassociation and makes youth want a life that they don’t truly understand, Edwards said.
“Youth are comfortable with technology. The more comfortable, the more they share,” White said. “Today, criminals are right in the bedroom with your children when they’re online. Criminals with nefarious intent have easier access.”
“Many children aren’t ready to handle information they can access. They see pictures of guns, violence and sexual (abuse). The more they see it, the more acceptable it is . . . and causes desensitization,” Taylor-Duncan said.
Unlimited access can be detrimental, Allen said. Screen time includes social media, television, computers, phone, gaming and online streaming services.
Another danger is ‘sextortion.’ “A young person meets someone online, usually from another country, especially Nigeria and Pakistan,” Taylor- Duncan said. These contacts pretend to be close in age and start a relationship.
“The victimization happens with nude or pornographic images sent to the young person,” Taylor- Duncan said. “Then, contacts ask for money or gift cards, which lead to threats if the youth doesn’t respond. The contact blackmails the youth and threatens to send pho- tos to families. Then, they ask, ‘Why don’t you kill yourself ?’” Taylor-Duncan sees about three of these cases weekly in Madison.
If a parent suspects sextortion, the first action is to secure the phone (don’t erase data), talk to the child and file a report with police, FBI or National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Allen said.
“Don’t be afraid to parent. You are the child’s first line of defense,” Edwards said.
Visit madisoncity.k12.al.us/domain/ 2411 for the video and online resources.
