Have you noticed a shift in your ability to manage your children’s time since they got smartphones? Establishing healthy screen time boundaries can be challenging, especially if parental controls aren’t effective. This might also be affecting family dynamics, leading to more disagreements
When does screen time become an addiction?
- Recent research highlights the significant impact of screen time on adolescents:
- Increased screen time is linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety.
- Excessive screen time, especially TV viewing, can hinder physical and cognitive development in children.
- Spending over three hours a day on screens increases the risk of depression and anxiety in adolescents.
- Studies suggest a connection between screen time and greater obesity/adiposity and higher depressive symptoms in teens.
- Spending time outdoors (green time) can counteract some of the negative effects of screen time on mental health.
Excessive screen time can affect teenagers’ mood and behaviour, impacting the entire family. The allure of video games and social media contributes to this addiction, compounded by the necessity of smartphones in daily life.
It’s crucial to educate teenagers about life beyond technology to foster balanced development. While social media is part of our lives, setting limits and promoting healthy usage is essential to prevent addiction. The nature of smartphones has created a situation where carrying one seems indispensable, and can make us all prone to an addiction like an eating disorder. The constant presence of phones makes it challenging to find a balance, like an alcoholic who must constantly carry alcohol, complicating the recovery process.
We are what we see
The rise of gaming disorders and social media addiction is on the horizon, posing significant challenges in combating them. Parents are understandably concerned, especially with the heightened risk of paranoid disorders due to online tracking of every click and activity, leading to a lack of privacy and potential mental health repercussions.
Additionally, algorithms dictate our online experiences, often exposing us to inappropriate content without our awareness of its detrimental effects on our minds. Just as unhealthy food can harm our physical health, certain online content can negatively impact our mental well-being, fostering feelings of inadequacy and perpetuating unrealistic standards of beauty and acceptance.
The use of technology should reflect who we want to be as a family. By learning how to unplug from our devices, we can connect with each other better
Dr Emma Allende
Furthermore, the digital era has deprived children of essential social development outside technology’s influence, leading to a lack of understanding about privacy and freedom.
It’s important for parents to educate their adolescents about the world beyond screens to promote balanced brain development. While social media is ingrained in modern life, we must be mindful and aware of its addictive nature and regulate our usage, similar to how we manage TV consumption. Social media platforms are intentionally designed to be addictive, making it essential to establish healthy boundaries to mitigate their negative impacts.
How to Encourage Responsible Use of Technology
- Agree on Screen Time Limits: Determine the time allowed on screens, the games and apps permitted, and the data limits on mobile phones.
- Designate Tech-Free Zones: Limit technology use to specific rooms, avoiding prolonged use in bedrooms.
- Centralised Charging Stations: Charge devices outside bedrooms to prevent late-night usage.
- Research Apps and Games: Ensure new downloads are age-appropriate and align with family values.
- Utilise Parental Controls: Use apps and WiFi controls to manage content access even when away from home.
- Foster Family Relationships: Engage in shared activities, meals, and conversations to build a supportive environment.
- Create a Family Tech Agreement: Establish and maintain family rules about technology use.
As parents, it is important to protect our families and balance the use of technology in our homes. The use of technology should reflect who we want to be as a family. By learning how to unplug from our devices, we can connect with each other better.
