What to do if social media is making your child feel left out

Social media has added a new level of torment to the age-old problem of children being "left out" by peers: they often witness proof of their own social exclusion on Instagram or Facebook. Though painful, such a circumstance offers parents a chance to strategize with their teens about how to set boundaries that minimize the distress social media causes them, Emily Edlynn argues in Parents. It also provides an opportunity for reflection about what it means to have (and be) a good friend. Ultimately, Edlynn writes, "feeling excluded by friends is a fixture of growing up, with or without social media." A parent's goal should be to help their children identify the emotions they feel in response, and then use that information to make better decisions in both areas of life.