I am worried because my son doesn't go out and mix with friends. He likes to stay at home and be online all the time. In a way it's good he is at home and out of trouble but shouldn't children be out of the house, doing things that are done at that age? Plus, online is not such a safe place to be... How does one wean him away?

Ans: Dear Divya, Hope and fear in my opinion are the strongest emotions. And we learn parenting on the job. Secondly, mirroring is a well-worked upon strategy. Technology, including screen time gives us 'dopamine' and increases our senses uses. On the contrary, a normal paced life seems no fun and 'monotonous'. Every child wishes to push boundaries and present their self-identity. This leads to arguments and tempers soaring on both sides, a parents and also from the child. Strategies that help: 1. Put down your device and talk of your day to the family. 2. Listening, and agreeing, discussions as a family while eating meals is a great connect. 3. Having no-tech zones as bedrooms and dinning tables is another. 4. Lastly, give the child half an hour during a weekday and an extra 1 hour during weekends helps. It's 'what should I do' 'I am bored' reasons that demand the 'dopamine fix. And Divya, inviting children of the same age who all play together with your child works. Family game nights, dancing together and bed time stories work too. Do revert, on what worked.

Ans: Dear Vihaan,
A few of us love being social butterflies and a few of us love the company of ourselves. I am not about to box anyone as an introvert of extrovert as we can switch from one to the other according to varying situations.

You son maybe one of those people whose social battery drains being around people, He perhaps doesn't need to socialize in order to feel good or happy. And you perhaps worry either because you see his peers being all out there or maybe because you are a very outgoing person.

As long as he is happy and is focused in academics and does not display behaviour that is detrimental to his mind and body, just let him be. There's a lifetime to be in social circles and he will blend in when he feels necessary, And if you must want to help, so that he 'socially connects', you can facilitate visits to places of his interest. No need for anyone to start a discussion for him as that will make him feel socially awkward and he will detest being with people altogether. I understand your concern, but there isn't anything to worry about unless he withdraws completely or isolates himself. It's all good and natural...

All the best!

Ans: 1. Try going out as afamily, where families have similar age children.
2. Enrol him for an activity/sports class, that he is interested in, around your home.
3. Try staybacks in school- which are after school activities.
As a family have family nights and evening, hearing music together, with everyone's choices, dance together, cook together, tell each other what you like about each other. communication starting at home helps a teen communicate outside.

Ans: Dear Om,
He is old enough to know when to go out and when to be by himself.
You start to worry only if he has begun to show signs of not socializing at home, poor hygiene, poor eating habits. loss of interest in things that used to give him joy...
Till then, I kindly urge you not to get into any diagnosis on your own. This will cause you to become more anxious and instead of helping your son, you will end up worrying and nagging him.
Simply understand him for who he is now and support him with love and care. If you see any of the above signs prolonging for over 2 weeks, seek professional help. That's your sign to wake up and do something...
Be at ease...

All the best!

Ans: Managing a child's social media addiction, especially when they have underlying mental health concerns like anxiety, can be challenging but crucial for their well-being. Start by having an open and non-judgmental conversation with your son about his social media use. Express your concerns about how excessive screen time can impact his mental health and overall well-being.Establish clear rules and boundaries around screen time and social media use. This could include limiting the amount of time he spends on social media each day or setting specific times when he's allowed to use it.
Lead by Example: Model healthy screen time habits yourself. Show your son that you prioritize face-to-face interactions, hobbies, and other activities over excessive screen time.Encourage your son to engage in offline activities that he enjoys and that promote social interaction, physical activity, and creativity. This could include sports, hobbies, art, or spending time with friends and family.Keep an eye on your son's social media use and monitor the content he's consuming. Consider using parental control apps or settings to limit access to certain apps or websites.If your son's social media addiction is significantly impacting his mental health or daily functioning, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor who specializes in treating addiction and/or anxiety. They can provide individualized strategies and support for managing his social media use in a healthy way.
Encourage Healthy Coping Strategies: Help your son develop healthy coping strategies for managing his anxiety, such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in calming activities when he feels overwhelmed.
By taking proactive steps to address your son's social media addiction and providing support for his anxiety, you can help him develop healthier habits and improve his overall well-being. Remember to approach the situation with empathy, patience, and understanding, and seek professional support if needed.