Expert warning to families ahead of social media regulation

Clinical Psychologist Elif Şenyiğit Dibek warned families ahead of the upcoming social media regulation, stating that children should be directed toward alternative social activities to manage the anger and sense of emptiness they may experience as they move away from digital environments.

Drawing attention to the habitual nature of social media, Clinical Psychologist Elif Şenyiğit Dibek emphasized that social media has become a significant part of friendship relations and the sense of belonging, especially for the 10-14 age group. Stating that moving away from this environment can initially create anger, restlessness, disappointment, and anxiety about being excluded in children, Dibek noted that families should guide their children through this process. Experts point out the importance of directing children toward alternative areas such as sports, arts, face-to-face friendships, and cultural activities to overcome the feeling of digital emptiness.

Stating that children in the transition to adolescence connect to social media due to a fear of digital exclusion, Dibek expressed that the regulation will also change the daily life habits of families. The expert, who stated that families should establish open communication instead of using threats and punishment, suggested that the reactions shown by children should be handled as natural emotional processes rather than disciplinary problems.