Aspirus Physician Encourages Healthy Social Media Habits for Families this Back-to-School Season
8/5/2025
Dr. Kimberly Frodl, Aspirus Family Medicine
August is National
Back to School Month, and while students may not be in the classroom just yet,
now is the time for families to start building routines that support a healthy
transition into the school year.
That includes taking
a closer look at how kids and teens are using social media.
“Just like
everything, too much is a bad thing,” said Kimberly
Frodl, MD, a Family Medicine Physician with Aspirus Health. “Screen use
late at night can make it harder to fall asleep and impact how well kids
perform in school.”
Dr. Frodl says while
social media can foster connection and community, excessive use may interfere
with sleep, attention span, and overall well-being. She encourages parents to
create simple guidelines before the school year begins. Ideas include setting
devices aside during family meals, shutting down screens an hour or two before
bedtime, and charging phones outside of bedrooms at night.
Parents should also
stay alert to behavioral changes such as slipping grades, irritability, or
withdrawal from activities, which may suggest that screen time is becoming
problematic.
In addition to
setting boundaries, Dr. Frodl highlights the importance of leading by example.
“Our kids watch us.
They get their cues from us,” she said. “When adults are mindful of their own
screen use, it sets the tone for the whole household.”
Aspirus Health
encourages families to use the weeks ahead to refresh habits, start
conversations, and approach the school year with a healthy balance of
technology and real-life connection.
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