Surveys
show that teens spend an average of around four hours a day on
connected devices, plus another two or three hours watching TV. Photo by
Annie Spratt/Unsplash.
Diana Graber’s eldest daughter was in eighth grade
in 2010 when her school had its first cyberbullying incident. It was
nothing major—just some kids being mean to each other on Facebook. But
to Graber, who had recently finished a master’s degree in media
psychology and social change, it was a missed opportunity for a
teachable moment. So she started visiting her younger daughter’s
sixth-grade class to talk about digital citizenship. Two things became
clear to her. First, middle schoolers are woefully unprepared for the
addictive nature of smartphones and the complex ethics of social media.
Second, with guidance, kids can grow into healthy users of devices and
have a positive influence on virtual communities.
Intervention is desperately needed. Surveys show
that teens, whose developing brains make them more susceptible to
addiction, spend an average of around four hours a day on connected
devices—not including schoolwork—plus another two or three hours
watching TV. In one Korean study, tech-addicted teen participants had
higher rates of anxiety, depression, impulse-control problems, and sleep
disorders. But snatching the phones from our teens’ hands isn’t the
answer. Graber points to research suggesting that kids with no access to
digital media suffer from some of the same negative impacts on their
mental well-being as hyperactive device users—“because they lack that
connection with their peers,” she says. Thus, she advocates for a modest
digital diet, but only after a child has the requisite education. “Kids
really need adults to on-ramp them into this world,” she says.
Since her experience with her daughter’s class, Graber has developed a three-year curriculum called Cyber Civics
that has been implemented by schools in 41 states. It explores issues
like cyberbullying, digital privacy, and sexting. Teachers guide
students through social-media scenarios and have them analyze the
50-page terms-of-service agreements for popular apps. For parents, her
website Cyberwise provides courses and educational resources. We asked
her for the CliffsNotes on a few key topics.
Step 1: Start Slow
It’s much easier to teach your tween about
smartphone use if they reach middle school with a healthy digital diet.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time
for kids before 18 months, just an hour a day until age five, and
consistent limits for kids over six. Need to be in touch with your
nine-year-old about carpooling? Give them an old-school flip phone.
Step 2: School Yourself
If you’re going to be a reliable digital guide, you
need to know the terrain. This means trying out ubiquitous mobile games
like Minecraft and joining platforms like Snapchat, Instagram,
and Musical.ly—then spending the time to understand their capabilities
and allure. This will also set you up to friend or follow your child.
Step 3: Set Ground Rules
When you’re ready to give a kid their first device,
establish how many hours a day they can use it (with a maximum of two
hours), when they can use it (after homework and chores), and which apps
are off-limits (any that facilitate chats with strangers). Tell them
you’ll have the passwords to the phone and any e-mail or social
accounts. Establishing these guardrails up front helps prevent heated
arguments later.
Step 4: Delay Social Media
Users must be at least 13 years old to legally use
most social platforms—with good reason. “Social media requires ethical
thinking,” Graber says. “ ‘Do I upload a photo that will hurt someone’s
feelings?’ A child’s brain isn’t ready to make that kind of decision
before their teen years.” Once your kid begins engaging with social
media, monitor their activity and talk with them if they post something
that makes you uncomfortable. The dialogue will reveal how mature a
cybercitizen your child has become.
Step 5: Model Good Behavior
Don’t bring your phone to the dinner table. Keep it
in your pocket during conversations. Silence it when you’re in the
woods. Show your children that you can control when and how you engage
with your device.
This post originally appeared on Outside
and was published September 1, 2018.
This article is republished here with permission.
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