Is My Teen Spending Too Much Time in Their Room?
Nearly every parent of teenagers will deal with the struggle at one point or another.
“Is it okay if my daughter stays in her room all the time?”
That’s a question that parents of teens are asking frequently these days. With more online engagement, teens are spending more time in their rooms, in front of their screens. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology, teens spend up to nine hours a day watching or using screens.
Spending too much time alone in their room can contribute to teens’ feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Teenagers do need privacy and a space to call their own, especially if they are looking to recharge mentally or embark on a creative endeavor like writing. But spending too much time alone in their room can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. So what can parents or guardians do to support their teen and nurture their well-being?
Respect their privacy: To start, respect your teen’s need for personal space. Establish boundaries regarding their privacy, such as giving them space to talk with their friends.
Validate their feelings: Encourage open dialogue with your teen, allowing them to share their thoughts and emotions without interruption or judgment. Listen actively and empathetically, validating their experiences and emotions. Demonstrate to your teen you are there to support them.
Encourage healthy habits: When your teen is spending excessive time in their room, it’s important to encourage healthy habits that promote their overall well-being. Suggest extracurricular activities, hobbies or community-based programs that align with their interest. This can help your teen develop a sense of structure and purpose.
Limit Screen Time: Encourage unplugged and unstructured downtime for your teen. Create tech-free zones or times, such as during dinner or one hour before bedtime. Keep screens out of your teen’s room, if possible, or ask them to charge their devices outside of their bedrooms at night.
Dealing with a teen who won’t leave their room can be a challenging and complex issue. However, by approaching the situation with empathy, patience, and a willingness to listen, parents or guardians can create a supportive environment that encourages your teen to gradually step out of their room and engage in the world around them.
If your teen still struggles to leave their room despite your best efforts to address the issue, seeking professional help can be beneficial.
Camino a Casa specializes in adolescent mental health treatment for youth ages 12-17. Our comprehensive therapeutic program includes both residential and outpatient care. Contact us today at 805-366-4000 or via e-mail at admissions@casapacifica.org to learn more about our therapeutic programs specifically for teens.
About Camino a Casa
Casa Pacifica is the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency’s Camino a Casa program, available to clients with private insurance, provides behavioral health care to youth ages 12-17 who struggle with emotional dysregulation and high-risk behaviors that jeopardize their safety at home, school and/or community.
Intensive short-term residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and in-home behavioral health services comprise Camino a Casa’s full continuum of adolescent mental health care.
Camino a Casa specializes in mental health treatment for youth ages 12-18 including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and in-home behavioral services. Contact us today at 805-366-4000 to learn more about our therapeutic programs specifically for adolescents.
Learn more at www.caminoacasa.org
Contact Us
800-366-4000
