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Help! Digital devices are taking over my family! With all the wifi devices it's easy for any of us to get lost. Unfortunately, researchers are discovering (as many of have already suspected) that there is a cost to being plugged in so much.
I'm sure you've experienced, like I have, yourself saying, "How long have I been on my phone?!" when you suddenly realize how much time you've lost because you got caught up in CandyCrush, surfing the web or social media. This happens to adults all the time and we are adults, with more developed brains. The impact on our children is even more significant.
Jean Twenge Ph.D., author of an amazing book called," iGen. Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood", has a lot to say about the impact of screens on our children. Their generation has been dubbed the iGen which started with the invention of the iPhone. She and other researchers have uncovered some concerning trends in this group of kids who have had such easy access to screens.
Kids spending 2 or more hours a day interacting with "new media" - (interactive wifi apps, online games, social media, etc) have a much higher rate of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. It turns out that when you spend large amounts of time on a screen you spend less face-to-face with others. This is a significant problem.
Also, more and more people - adults and kids alike - are falling into the trap of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) where they become obsessed with "chasing likes" in social media and can't stop watching what everyone else is doing on line.
So what can we do to help unplug our kids?
Delay getting a smartphone for your child. If you must get a phone start with a flip phone.
Limit screen time to less than 90 minutes a day.
Get a parental filter on your wifi or get apps on devices that regulate the amount of time spent online.
*iPhones and devices now offer Screen Time - a simple way to monitor your own and kid's screen time for Apple devices. How to use Screen Time
*DinnerTime is an App that also controls content and time.
*Qustodio Parental Control App.
*Cellphone carriers offers parental controls for a monthly fee. Just make sure it doesn't shut off your ability to contact your child if they are out after their screen time limits.
Don't allow children to have wifi screens in rooms where they sleep.
Encourage kids to have face-to-face play time with family and peers.
Spend time with your kids outside, being active, playing games, being creative and exploring.
On the journey with you,
Aaron MacKenzie
School Counselor
Family Empowerment Network has wealth of information!
This video does a wonderful job showing our society's relationship with technology and screens in particular. What a great conversation starter! I am not endorsing the very expensive product the video advertises at the end.
In this TED Talk Shawn Anchor briefly discusses the Psychology of Happiness. It's insightful and hilarious. At the very end of his presentation he rushes through what I learned are the 5 Happiness Hacks. These 5 simple tasks are a great way to focus in on making an investment in happiness.
BOOKS -
iGen. Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood" by Jean Twenge, PhD
Glow Kids, Dr. Kardaras
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