TikTok videos with the hashtag #mentalhealth have wracked up more the 37 billion views.

For younger viewers, it can be easy to believe everything you see and hear even when it’s not coming from a reliable source.

But when it has lots of engagement, many followers you think it’s true.

So how do you talk to your children about TikTok as a tool?

Reena B. Patel (LEP, BCBA) renowned parenting and school psychologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and author of shares some pointers on how to speak to your children on the content of TikTok.

Be careful about who you take advice from. The wrong information about how to handle these conditions can damage people more. Always talk to a mental health provider if you have real concerns.
Don’t use TikTok as your only form of “therapy.” “If you are struggling with a mental health condition, reach out and find a therapist.
Do more research and know the facts– If you have a question about a condition, research the evidence-based treatment for it, as well as ways to get access. Yes, you can relate to the symptoms, but do not self diagnose- seek a professional to help. The information shared by a user is not enough for one to self diagnose themselves.
The social platform should have mental health resources for users and a team who monitor the content.
It can be educational: One of the main benefits of talking about mental health on TikTok is that users are exposed to people with different conditions, more awareness
Validation. Those who may be feeling alone in their struggles often can find the validation they need
Finding a sense of community and support they may not be getting elsewhere

If you’d like to here more from Reena B. Patel to visit her website.

Parenting With a Purpose: TikTok Is Not Therapy!