Healthy Tech Habits for Your Child

In today's digital age, the topic of when to introduce smartphones and social media to children is a complex and thought-provoking one. Let’s be frank, it can lead to some pretty harsh words in forums, and feelings of questioning your parenting if you’re on team “give them a phone and guide them along the way”. As parents/guardians, we recognize the importance of balancing the benefits of technology with the potential risks, and for this reason, many parents are opting for, and pushing for, no smartphones until highschool…or later. I think this especially comes off the heels of a recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, “Social Media and Youth Mental Health 2023”. 

This blog post aims to encourage a mindful approach to this decision-making process, emphasizing that it is ultimately up to each family to determine what works best for their child's age, maturity, and overall well-being. If there’s one thing I’ve learned after 21 years in the classroom, it's that there’s A LOT of different child rearing styles, as well as the fact that all children are different, maturing at different ages. Let's explore some key considerations and strategies that can help foster a healthy relationship with technology, while also highlighting the positive outcomes of social media use for tweens and teens based on research by the Pew Research Center.

Age and Maturity

When considering the appropriate age for introducing smartphones and social media, it is important to look beyond chronological age. According to the Pew Research Center, around the age of 13, many children become more interested in social media platforms and start to use them as a means of self-expression and connection with peers. This is the time of budding autonomy, and agency is key for teens. They need to be involved in the decision making and boundary setting, and each child will handle it and see it differently from the next. We can’t forget that demographics are different around the world. Not every child is living in the same circumstances. It’s important we look at each situation and child.

Parental/Guardian/School Involvement

Research has shown that active parental/guardian involvement positively influences children's online experiences. According to the Pew Research Center, parents/guardians who engage in regular conversations about responsible online behavior and monitor their child's digital activities have a greater chance of fostering safe and positive tech habits. Adult monitoring and modeling play key parts in this. I don’t mean fear-mongering and censorship, but rather conversations. Be involved, talk about apps and social media. I think this needs to extend to schools as well. We all need to engage in helping our kids learn digital skills, such as digital literacy, to keep the conversations open and ongoing. They need to know we’re here to help them and support them along a bumpy road.

Creating a Plan

A family technology plan, such as a family charter or contract, developed collaboratively with your child, can provide structure and guidelines for their online activities. The Pew Research Center highlights that when parents/guardians set rules and boundaries around screen time and social media use, it can lead to more responsible and mindful engagement. Again, it’s not about consequences, it’s about helping them learn from mistakes, explore with caution, much like learning to ride a two wheel bike. They will fumble and they will fall, but they need the help to support them as they learn how to navigate this new experience. Being on the same page, and maintaining open conversation is key!

Screen-Free Times and Spaces

Designating specific times and areas free from screens can help ensure a healthy balance. The Pew Research Center emphasizes that when families establish screen-free zones, such as during meals or before bedtime, it encourages face-to-face interactions and promotes a healthier relationship with technology. We all need time away from screens. Just letting your brain quiet itself is so key for restoring, and regenerating. Think about that moment when you turn off a fan in a room that’s been going for a while. That moment your senses just go “ahhhhhhhh” as you realize how noisy that fan was. Or when you step out of a mall. It’s so noisy, and you don’t realize it until you step outside, and you welcome that moment of quiet.  It’s the same for screens. Taking a moment to turn them off, walk away, and clear your mind is so calming. Set up those spaces in your home where you feel peaceful.

Mindful Approach to Technology

Teaching children to approach technology mindfully is essential for their well-being. According to the Pew Research Center, promoting a balanced approach that includes offline activities and fostering digital literacy skills can empower tweens and teens to make informed choices and navigate the digital world responsibly. They can grow up in a healthy way with technology, using it for good and taking action to pressure companies to change tech for good (especially when it comes to social media for kids). Starting with simple habit changing can make a world of difference to a child and their phone use.

Positive Outcomes of Social Media

Research by the Pew Research Center has highlighted several positive outcomes of social media use for tweens and teens. It found that social media can provide platforms for creativity, self-expression, and finding support. Additionally, social media can expand social circles, increase social awareness, and enable the exchange of diverse perspectives. There’s so much opportunity for positive experiences for young people, but we need to be intentional about providing them the skills needed, and the positive habits they need to flourish online. Let’s give them a bit of agency over how they are connecting with their digital world.

By adopting a mindful approach to introducing smartphones and social media, considering age, maturity, and involving children in the decision-making process, parents/guardians can guide their children's digital journeys effectively. Creating a family technology plan or charter, establishing screen-free times and spaces, and encouraging a mindful approach to technology use (digital wellness) will help foster a healthy relationship with devices. While acknowledging the potential risks, it is important to recognize the positive outcomes of social media use for tweens and teens. Remember, finding the right balance is a personal decision that should be tailored to the unique needs of each child and family.

Heather

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