4 minute read
Entertainment Technology And Its Threats On Young Minds
BY DR SALIHA AFRIDI, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE LIGHTHOUSE ARABIA
Many parents and educators feel helpless when thinking about how to manage their children’s technology use. It is unrealistic to think that children will not be exposed to digital devices in today’s world, especially since Covid. However, one thing that might make it easier for them is to consider the uses of the devices and limit the usage of entertainment technology and allow for educational technology. Let’s face it, most of us are not worried about our children spending hours on their devices doing multiplications. We are mostly concerned about their attention spans, their use of social media, and their addictive behaviours to gaming. Studies have found that both technology and social media platforms can leave children, and adults, with feelings of anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep patterns, the potential for cyberbullying, and distorted body image. It is important, if not essential, for parents to consider the dangers of excessive use of entertainment technology and educate themselves and their children on how to best use their smart devices so that they are not being overly exposed to unhealthy messages while maintaining a sense of balance and mental well-being.
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SO WHAT ARE SOME STEPS PARENTS CAN TAKE TOWARDS THIS?
1. Anchor yourself and your parenting in your values. If you let the latest gadget or trend drive your parenting behaviours, you will likely feel groundless and unanchored ... anxious. If you anchor yourself in your values and make your decisions from that place and be okay with not being liked by your children for a little while, you will feel more grounded as a parent and will most likely be more consistent in your parenting. Think about what type of adult you want to raise and build your parenting style around that. If your child says “everyone has Instagram,” and you agree to them having Instagram on that premise, you are basically giving them permission to “do whatever everyone else is doing.” If you explain to them that other people base their decisions on other things, and you are basing it on the science of addiction and your family values, then you are teaching them an important life lesson: how to make decisions from the inside out.
2. Before you have conversations with your children about entertainment technology, make sure you do your own homework. Know the pros and cons of entertainment technology, read about the addictive nature, be clear about why you do not want your child to engage in it yet or have limited engagement with it. If a child senses your hesitancy or lack of knowledge, they will bulldoze over you with their techsavviness and emotional manipulation. Two great websites for parents to keep up-to-date on popular traditional and social media are
Commonsensemedia.com and SmartSocial.com.
3. Consider your child. There is no ‘right’ age to give a child a smartphone or access to entertainment technology. Some young children are mature, while some teens are more prone to addictive behaviours and recklessness. Just as you would when you invest in a pet, you consider whether your child is ready for such a responsibility; know your child before you hand over a device or gaming console. Is this something that they have the maturity to use responsibly? 4. Teach your child and stay up to date with new information. When psychologists or doctors get their licenses, they have to have a certain number of continuing education credits to maintain their license. Taking from that practice, as parents and children use technology, it would be good practice to keep up to date with your own personal continuing education on the latest apps, their pros and cons, and how to best use them. It would also be important for children to learn about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and how to interact online.
Remind them that the internet is essentially storing everything they say and do online, and once they have said it or done it online, that is placed on it, forever. Do not do anything online that you would not want your employers to know or would not want to be printed on the front page of a newspaper the next day.
5. Implement rules, and follow them yourself as much as possible. Do not be afraid to implement a digital blackout at home, such as while having dinner and an hour before they go to bed. Keep all devices out of the bedroom to be charged. A recommended amount of digital time, of course, depends on the child’s age. However, a rule of thumb would be that they should have engaged in all the ‘must do’s’ before they can engage in entertainment technology. This means they have done their homework, engaged in physical activity, read for 20 minutes, had their meals, and showered before they can go online.
As a community, we should also encourage governments and educational institutions to develop and offer age-appropriate technologies and standards. This is where educational arenas need to develop further. There is a necessity to integrate mental health awareness and lessons within the core curriculum so that our children are better equipped with a tool kit to grow up to be emotionally intelligent and aware adults. Prevention is key.
