Why teens must find balance between social media and in-person catch-ups post lockdown

While technology has played a crucial role in keeping Geelong teens connected during the pandemic, a medical expert is encouraging face-to-face socialising as Victoria re-opens.

Local teens say social media and the connection technology provided helped them get through isolating lockdowns.

But Geelong residents are being urged to get back to in-person socialising as Victoria opens up.

Associate Professor Steve Moylan.

Barwon Health Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services clinical director Associate Professor Steve Moylan acknowledged there were certainly differences in how the younger generation communicated.

“For some young people, a preference for social media and technology has helped maintain regular interactions with their friends,” Prof Moylan said.

“Social media is at its best when it bridges physical distances and allows people to stay connected, but of course, balance is always the key and it is important not to rely on any single method of communication.

“We encourage people to return to face-to-face interactions and social activities that are allowed under the current restrictions.”

The milestones Geelong teens missed most in lockdown

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Teens have missed out on many experiences and milestones during Covid, including gaining work experience and birthday and school celebrations.

Geelong High year nine Connor Blyth said it had been hard, especially as a teenager, being away from friends and not being able to do the things that you want to.

“I applied for a job and Covid interfered with that too,” he said.

Connor Blyth. Picture: Mark Wilson

Fellow student Ashleigh Lilley said it was hard to process that she would be spending large chunks of time away from friends.

“Not to mention the burden of figuring out what we actually want to accomplish after school,” Ashleigh said.

“I would think you figure out your career path through experiences and discovering hobbies and strengths, but with nowhere to go, (being) stuck at home makes it strenuous.”

Bianca Tassone, a clinical psychologist at Chris Mackey and Associates who works extensively with teenagers, said it was important to validate teens’ feelings about how the Covid pandemic had impacted them.

Psychologist for teen series

Ms Tassone said parents could validate their feelings and also point to the future – for example, agreeing “it sucks’ to miss out on an 18th birthday party, but then discussing what could be planned ahead the young person could look forward to.

“It might not be that big international holiday, but I can have friends over to my house – so bringing it back to things they can control,” Ms Tassone said.

“It’s really about normalising and validating how the adolescent is feeling about those missed opportunities but also instilling that hope for what’s coming in the future.

“Fortunately now with lockdowns it seems there’s a little more security.

“It’s also about asking what they’ve learnt from Covid, on the flip side there’s a lot of resilience.”

Originally published as Why teens must find balance between social media and in-person catch-ups post lockdown