On the path of a child’s growth, the influence of friends is crucial. A good friend can bring friendship and support to children, helping them to be positive and upward; A negative friend, even a ‘ghost friend’, may lead children into a vortex of negative energy, which can have a profound impact on their mental health and future development.
What is a ‘ghost friend’. A ‘ghost friend’ refers to a type of friend who approaches your child in a weak position, confides in them about their own pain, family affairs, and even complains about their parents, in order to gain sympathy.
They often exhibit great vulnerability and sensitivity, which can easily trigger protective or empathetic feelings in kind-hearted and soft hearted children.
This kind of ‘ghost friend’ is not as simple as it seems on the surface. On the one hand, they bring their relationship closer through confession, but on the other hand, they constantly transmit negative energy to your child.
For example, denying the value of learning: “Learning is so hard and tiring, it has no meaning at all.
” Complaining about the pain of life: “Life is meaningless, nothing is worth striving for. ” Encouraging bad behavior: “Why bother with so much.
Just do what you want to do. ” Under this subtle influence, even sunny and cheerful children may gradually become negative and depressed, and even begin to question their goals and direction.
Why is the middle and high school stage particularly dangerous. Primary school children are relatively simple and their worldview has not yet formed, making them susceptible to direct guidance from their parents.
But in middle and high school, children’s sense of independence begins to strengthen, while their values are still being constructed and are easily influenced by the outside world.
Especially adolescent children, who crave understanding and recognition, are easily approached and misled by “ghost friends”.
In addition, the academic pressure during middle and high school is relatively high. If children encounter difficulties or psychological fluctuations in their studies, they are more likely to be attracted by negative energy and eventually slide towards more dangerous edges.
How to determine if a child has been influenced by a ‘ghost friend’. Parents need to maintain a keen observation of their children’s condition.
If the following signs appear, attention should be paid: a child who was originally cheerful suddenly becomes negative and pessimistic, often saying things like “boring” or “I don’t want to work hard anymore”.
Losing interest in learning suddenly leads to a decline in grades, and the attitude towards learning becomes perfunctory, even resistant.
The child becomes distant from their parents and frequently interacts with a friend, but becomes even more indifferent to their parents and even shows hostile emotions.
Imitating a friend’s negative behavior, such as their disinterest in learning, language habits, and even engaging in negative activities.
What should parents do. Parents need to take effective intervention measures when facing the possibility of their children being influenced by “ghost friends”.
Maintain communication, understand children’s social situations, establish good communication habits with children, and learn more about who their friends are and how they usually interact with each other.
Information can be obtained through daily conversations or observing children’s social dynamics, but excessive intervention should be avoided to put pressure on children.
Transmitting positive energy and guiding children to distinguish right from wrong, parents need to make children understand that true friends will bring positive effects, rather than making people feel depressed and helpless.
Help children identify the hazards of negative energy through practical cases and positive guidance. If necessary, intervene in the child’s social circle.
If it is found that a “ghost friend” has a significant impact on the child, parents can gradually distance themselves from them by “diverting attention”, such as encouraging the child to participate in other interest groups or activities and meet more like-minded new friends.
Pay attention to the mental health of children. If a child has shown obvious psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, or autism, parents need to seek timely help from professional psychological counselors to avoid further deterioration of the problem.
Parents can improve their children’s independent thinking ability by telling life stories or setting up situational discussions to guide their children to learn how to independently judge right from wrong and not blindly follow others’ words and actions.
Summary: Friends are important companions for children’s growth, but not every friend is worth making deep friendships with.
Parents need to be wary of the existence of “ghost friends” and help their children establish a healthy concept of making friends.
If children can maintain a sunny and positive attitude under the care of their parents, they will be able to face future challenges with more confidence.
Remember, guarding the growth of children requires the patience and wisdom of every parent. If you think the article is helpful to you, give a thumbs up and read it to let more people see it.
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