As parents, we are navigating new waters around our children and devices. This new digital world has many benefits. It’s been a lifeline for many to keep working, studying, and socialising (though virtually) through this pandemic. Smart phones have so many daily uses, we are now more reliant on them then ever! Gone are the days of teens pulling the family phone in their room to socialise “online.” Teens primarily socialise through a variety of online platforms.

Parents are faced with a dilemma. How do parents roll with the times while protecting their children from the harmful by products of devices? To complicate matters, teens often are more technologically savvy than their parents. While no one size fits all approach works in dealing with this, it’s an important dialogue, as we muddle through, together. If left with no guidance from parents, children and teens are incredibly vulnerable online. The research is clear on the addictive nature of devices. With rapid brain development, children and teens are particularly vulnerable to device addiction. The internet is a wild west of content that is harmful for our children and teens. We can have a false sense of security as they navigate this online world from the “safety” of their bedroom.

When I work with students in my counselling role, we discuss developing a healthy and balanced “diet” of activities. Time on devices is a part of that activities diet but variety is key (both online and offline). We also look at the content of their “internet diet.” Are they interacting with content that makes them feel better or worse about themselves? As you help your child or teen to navigate this digital world, here are a few resources to support you.

linewise

TedX talk- neuroscience of device zombies

Very Well- Est. cell phone rules for teens