Social Media and Devices
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
SUMMERTIME! YES! I love this time of year! This time of year is also the perfect time for a digital detox and a review of your family's digital diet and determine how you will implement better digital hygiene in the future and prepare for school time.
The dangers of screentime and online content are studied, reported, clear, irrefutable. And yet, we are all subject to the powerful addictive algorithms of digital content. There is an enormous amount of medical literature that has been published about the negative effects of 1. screentime, (e.g. EMF, blue light), 2. habitual checking, 3. content (including porn), 4. online interactions v. IRL relationships, and others. The time and content are both very important. The reels of today are short without a storyline and increase inattention and distraction. Kids have been known to spend 10-16 hours a day! The literature suggests that 2.5-3 hours a day on a personal device is OK. I say no more than 30-60 minutes and zero for kids under 2 years old.
Adverse effects range from depressive and anxiety symptoms, decreased focus and attention, addiction, poor sleep, poor interpersonal connectivity, decreased intelligence. Have you noticed that your child (no matter how old) has negative behavior changes that correlate to the amount of screentime and digital content consumed? It is never too early or too late to make changes for yourself, your child, tween, or adolescent. The more they resist, the more it is a problem. This is such a serious problem that interventions can be considered life-saving! The struggle is real! You are up for it! It is worth it!
What can you do:
Consider adopting a set of standards or a contract for your family that all adults and children will abide by regarding digital time and contents. Share this with other friends and family with whom your kids spend time (e.g. grandparents!)
Teach your kids to recognize unhealthy content. This book is about teaching your kids about porn Good Pictures Bad Pictures.
Have a family-wide digital detox for a week. Take a vacation and soak up the outdoors. Take a real camera to record the memories. Leave your phone in your bag.
Decide to take a weekly "Tech Sabbath".
Watch The Social Dilemma. And now the sequel, The Social Reckoning , will be out later this year.
Put devices in a lock box every night, turn off the internet, firm rules around when to use/not use and strict consequences for non-compliance.
Resources (just a few of many)