Question

Please write a letter.

Hi Hein Htet,
My fourteen-year-old sister seems to spend all her time on social media. As she gets up late, she's always absent at family mealtimes. Sometimes, she misses her breakfast. She doesn't study hard for her exams and her scores are never good. I'm really worried about her. And I don't know what to do. What do you advise me to do?
Many thanks in advance!
Hsu Latt​

Answer 1

Greetings,

Thank you for writing in and sharing your concerns about your sister's use of social media. It is important to remember that while social media can be a fun and entertaining way to stay connected with friends, it is important to maintain balance in our lives and ensure that we are taking time to study, eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and engage in other activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing.

To help your sister find balance, I suggest having an open dialogue with her about the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health. Talk to her about the potential risks associated with excessive social media usage, such as feeling disconnected from reality or difficulties with prioritizing tasks. Encourage her to set aside specific times each day to unplug from her devices and this should help her to be more mindful of her time management.

You may also find it helpful to have her join activities outside of school, such as a club, sport, or community service organization. This may help her to stay active and engaged in meaningful activities, while providing an alternate outlet for making friends and joining social activities.

Finally, it is important to remember that setting a good example can be just as powerful as words. Show her how to manage her time and take care of her physical and mental health by leading by example.

I hope this helps. Good luck and all the best!

Sincerely,
XYZ

Answer 2

Dear Hsu Latt,

I can understand your concerns about your sister's behavior and the impact it may be having on her academic and personal life. It's important to encourage her to find a balance between social media usage and her responsibilities. Here are a few suggestions that may help:

• Talk to her: Try to have an open conversation with your sister about her social media usage and how it's affecting her daily routine. It's important to listen to her perspective as well and to understand her motivations for spending time on social media.
• Encourage time management: Help your sister to create a schedule that allows for social media use, but also includes time for studying, meals, and other important activities. This can help her prioritize her responsibilities and ensure that she doesn't neglect other aspects of her life.
• Limit social media usage: Consider setting limits on your sister's social media usage, such as restricting the amount of time she spends on social media or setting a curfew for electronic devices in the evening. This can help her to break the habit of constantly checking her phone or staying up late browsing social media.
• Provide positive reinforcement: Encourage and praise your sister for positive behavior, such as completing her homework or participating in family meals. Positive reinforcement can help to motivate her to continue making positive changes in her life.

Overall, it's important to support your sister in finding a balance between social media and her other responsibilities. With time and encouragement, she may be able to reduce her social media usage and improve her academic performance.

I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Hein Htet