In an ironic twist, our reliance on digital devices to keep our kids safe and connected to us, may be hurting them.
Smartphones are as much a part of teenage life today as are pimples and first crushes. Recent data though is pointing to a digital overdose problem and, as parents, we need to help our kids better negotiate their digital habits.
In a recent article for the Atlantic, American psychologist Jean M. Twenge noted that “the arrival of the smartphone has radically changed every aspect of teenagers’ lifes, from the nature of their social interactions to their mental health.”
Recent data collected by the Canadian Technology Association suggests 80 percent of Canadian households own a smartphone. The current generation of teens are the first to have truly grown up with mobile devices.
With that level of smartphone saturation, it is not surprising that a MediaSmarts survey revealed a high number of teens spending, on average, between 1 to 2 hours per day on devices for non-school work purposes every weekday, and even more on weekends. Particularly concerning, given the disturbing effect that screens can have on sleep, is the high number of teens who used smartphones at bedtime. In the Canadian Technology Association study, 79% of parents reported that their 14- to 15-year-olds used their devices after they’d gone to bed.
While it didn’t draw a link between smartphone use and mental health, the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Mental Health Survey did find that the proportion of students in grades 7 to 12 reporting moderate to serious psychological distress had climbed by 15% since 2013. The Survey further found that about one-in-six secondary school students related symptoms that may suggest a moderate-to-serious problem with technology use (preoccupation, loss of control, withdrawal, problem with family/friends).
Dr. Lauren Humphreys, an Ottawa psychologist who has worked with adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders since 2003, has seen a range of issues among her teenage patients related to smartphone use, including sleep deficiencies and stress around constant peer judgment.
One of the major issues that Dr. Humphreys has seen around smartphone use has been “the sense of pressure and obligation to be always available for conversations with peers, and to respond as quickly as possible upon receipt of a message.”
So, while there is no definitive proof that smart phones are the cause of rising levels of anxiety for teens, it seems highly unlikely that constant screen use could be helping with stress levels.
But, here’s the kicker.
Despite growing evidence that smartphones may not be good for our children’s mental
health, we keep buying them for our kids. According to data gathered by MediaSmarts, nearly three quarters of 14 and 15 year-olds in Canada have their own device.
My teenagers have laid out all the logical arguments for why I should buy them a smartphone – they can use it for school, I’ll be able to reach them when I want to, they’ll be able to call me when they change plans or want a ride. My kids have pegged my parental insecurities and used them to bolster their arguments. And they aren’t wrong.
There are benefits to digital devices – for learning, for socializing, for recreation. There is even a sense among parents that a digital tether will keep our kids safer in the big bad world. However, we wouldn’t give the car keys to our teenager without making sure they have had driving lessons. Why is it that we are comfortable giving our teenagers a powerful tool without teaching them how to use it safely?
While we can’t do away with smartphones, the good news is that there are habits we can learn, and we can teach our kids, that can help.
According to Common Sense Media, there are some relatively simple guidelines that can help families manage digital overload.
First and foremost, no screens at bedtime. Simple, manageable and something from which the whole family can benefit.
Next, set clear limits around screen use, and stick to them. Yes, the kids with harangue you at first, but most parents have already tackled limit setting and lived to tell the tales.
Lastly, and though it seems counterintuitive, know and use the technology. There are a number of apps and hacks available to help us better manager screen use, such as Screen Time for iphone users or simply deleting social media apps from your phone.
Ultimately, we parents won’t be able to compete outright with digital devices. But, maybe, just maybe, we can give our kids a few tools to help them along the way.
Median Mama 