Mom Says She Didn’t Know What Social Media Addiction Was Until It Was Too Late For Her Child

Tammy says she didn’t know what social media addiction was until it was too late for her daughter, Selena, who was given a smartphone for her 10th birthday. “Within a few months, she started spending hours and hours on that phone,” says Tammy. Tammy says she tried to limit her daughter’s screen time, but Selena would spend up to 20 hours a day on her phone, which negatively impacted her life. “Her school work went down, her friendships were not the same, her moods were not the same,” Tammy says. “She was depressed and in her room, just by herself.” Tammy says that Selena was spiraling out of control, and she didn’t know how to help. After being bullied on social media, Selena died by suicide at age 11. This episode of Dr. Phil, “Growing up Digital: Are Your Kids Addicted?” airs Monday. And later, Dr. Phil talks with the father of a young man who claims that his son’s preoccupation with a video game led the then 16-year-old to turn a gun on him and his wife when they took the game away. Check your local listing for airtimes. WATCH: Digital Addiction Expert Explains How Excessive Screen Time Can Negatively Impact Brain Development In Kids TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Life in crisis?