You’ve all seen it—kids glued to their phones as they walk to and from school. And it doesn’t stop there. On average, children (under 16 years old) spend between 5 and 9 hours a day on screens.
Scientific research has shown that smartphones and other handheld devices pose a threat to the health of children and young people. In particular, there is a widespread addiction to social media, and it is contributing to what some describe as the largest mental health crisis among young people ever seen.
Kids’ attention spans are dropping at an alarming rate. As handheld technology isolates a generation, meeting up and having face-to-face conversations are becoming increasingly rare, if not obsolete. Depression among teenagers is at an all-time high.
This is why an increasing number of countries are considering age restrictions for social media.
What can you do?
Dr Jean Twenge, an award-winning professor of psychology at San Diego University, is the author of more than 190 articles and several books based on her research into the impact of technology on children and young people. One of her latest books, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, provides parents with a science-backed guide offering 10 clear rules for technology use. It is a must-read for all parents.
Book recommendation supplied by Adrian Lowe