As the sun set on the last day of school before winter break, eighth-grader Aiden found himself in a heated game of Mafia with his classmates. But when one of his friends got bored and quit, Aiden's friend couldn't help but make a pointed comment: "You're such a screenager, your attention span is so short." The jab stung, but it also sparked a conversation that would linger long after the school year ended. Aiden's friend wasn't just making a joke - he was highlighting a growing concern among teens and adults alike: the impact of social media on young people's lives.

In the past five years, the national conversation about young people and social media has shifted dramatically. Gone are the days of worrying about cyberbullying and online harassment; today, the biggest fear is that social media is rewiring young brains to crave constant stimulation and instant gratification. As Aiden's friend so aptly put it, people are "less likely to have fun and enjoy being around other people, and they prefer being around technology."

So, what's behind this phenomenon? And more importantly, how can parents and educators help kids break free from the grip of their screens? To find out, I spoke with several Scholastic Kid Reporters, including Aiden, who shared their own experiences and insights on the impact of social media on their lives.

For Aiden, the problem starts with the way social media platforms are designed. "They're made to be addictive," he explained. "They use algorithms to keep you engaged, and they make it hard to log off." Aiden's friend, who asked to remain anonymous, echoed this sentiment: "I feel like I'm constantly competing for likes and followers, and it's exhausting."

But social media isn't just a problem for individual kids - it's also having a profound impact on society as a whole. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 54% of teens say they spend too much time on their screens, and 60% say they feel pressure to present a perfect online image. This can lead to a culture of comparison and competition, where kids feel like they're constantly falling short.

So, what can parents and educators do to help kids break free from the grip of their screens? One approach is to set clear boundaries and rules around screen time. "We have a family rule that we don't use our phones at the dinner table," said Aiden's mom. "It's not always easy, but it's helped us have more meaningful conversations and spend quality time together."

Another approach is to encourage kids to engage in offline activities that promote social connection and creativity. "We've started a book club at school, and it's been amazing," said Aiden. "We get to discuss books and share our thoughts, and it's really helped me connect with my classmates on a deeper level."

But perhaps the most important thing parents and educators can do is to model healthy behavior themselves. "As adults, we need to be mindful of our own screen use and set a good example for our kids," said Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist who has written extensively on the impact of social media on young people. "We need to show kids that there's a world beyond our screens, and that it's worth exploring."

As the winter break comes to a close and kids head back to school, it's clear that the conversation about social media and young people is far from over. But by setting clear boundaries, encouraging offline activities, and modeling healthy behavior, parents and educators can help kids break free from the grip of their screens and discover a world of possibility beyond their screens.

In the words of Aiden's friend, "It's time to put down our phones and start living."