b'social mediaMAKINGStudent reflection: Setting my limits SOCIALSocial media has a very big impact on our personal MEDIA lives, especially on young adults and teens. Some A FAMILYkids use it for good and some for bad. Personally, DECISION I try to limit what I consume on the internetand its good to take a break. So I sometimes fast from social media.Dr. Jen Caudle, a family physicianIt is like taking a daily routine out of my life for a and associate professor, says parentswhile. Although it may feel like a punishment, it should oversee how their children usebenefits me in the long run because I can do other social media.things or indulge in my passions like basketball and Social media should be a family affairwriting, or even cooking.to help protect the child, she says.Parents should make sure the contentIm usually on social media on my free time, so is appropriate by adding restrictionsfasting from it can be challenging, especially if Im to their childs social media usage. bored or Im getting home from practice. It can be I think there should be guidelines difficult, but I would recommend it because social and limitations, she says. media can take over your life, even if you dont When are kids ready for social media?realize it. It can also affect how you communicate Dr. Caudle says it depends onwith your peers or family.each child.In general, she says, kidsEven though I am fairly attached to social media, should spend less time onI think I can curb my use if I try hard enough. If their screens. youre strong enough you can push through it.Physicians want kids to spend more time outsideCionne Nickerson, 8th gradeand doing physical activities,Chester Charter Scholars Academy Healthy HighlightsDr. Caudle says. Katherine Vaquero, Sebastian Pagan,and Emely Botello-Morales Catholic Partnership Schools Healthy Courier, St. Joseph Pro-CathedralPage 9 illustration: Kimberly Verguilla, 8th grade, Chester Charter Scholars AcademyHealthy Highlights (two girls)S p r i n g 2 0 2 5 | H E A L T H Y N E W S W O R K S . O R G9'