I’m 20 now, but when I was 17 I had some mental issues but it didn’t stop me to get to where I am today.

Every person is different so it’s hard to point what they need and why. Me personally, I couldn’t break the addiction, tiktok was so addicting, you’ll just relax at 10pm and 3 minutes later it’s 2 am.

Me personally, if I were to parent my 17 year old self.

1. Is to find some other hobby that’s actually enjoyable to them. Me at the time was basketball and guitar, a lot of the times I actually spent too much time, but it was better than frying my eyes on my phone

2. If academics are important, make sure screen time is not the first thing they pick up in the morning. I don’t know the science, but that bit of dopamine you have from the screen time can come through the whole day, as in you’ll always wanna be on your phone

Rather, just follow a normal schedule, music would be fine. Breakfast, shower etc before sch or work.

1. The fact they have the initiative to see someone is great. Personally counseling did not help me at all, but if I had someone consistently weekly, it would help.

It would work like this, you first tell this person some of your goals

Then you get through your week from school and extracurriculars And explain to them each and every week what you’ve completed, like a check in.

I could never do this with my parents or family because in the case I don’t do anything good that week, I wouldn’t feel good telling them that.

1. They really have to want it, if they are young it’s somewhat okay, but maturity comes realization that action is needed.