It's a topic that has been brought up in the news a lot recently, and it's a big one. Depression is a serious mental health issue that can affect people of all ages, but it seems like young people are particularly at risk for depression, especially when they spend a lot of time online. Social media can be an amazing tool for building relationships with friends, but it also has the potential to make us feel isolated and alone if we're not careful about how we use it.

How do we help our kids navigate these waters? How can we teach them how to use technology responsibly so that they can avoid depression? Here are some tips:

- Talk about depression openly. It's OK to tell your kids that you have struggled with depression or anxiety yourself, and then talk about what worked (or didn't work) for you when you were going through it.

- Encourage them to get outside more often—even if just for 15 minutes! Hikes in nature are great because they give kids time away from screens where they can decompress and think about something other than whatever is going on in their lives right now—plus they get exercise!

- Set boundaries around screen time: no phones during meals or bed.

Family and friends support are necessary and important for young or old depressed persons, so take care of people around you.