It seems our children have always been under threat of media perils. Backwards-masking music, subliminal messages, AI deepfakes and music and video game violence have all been given attention in varying degrees.
With the start of a new school year comes another warning, this time about cell phones — particularly in the classroom — and the access they provide to social media.
For all the benefits of media to help us and learn more about our world, stay informed and be more efficient (not to mention be entertained by cat videos), Jean Twenge presents some wellresearched dangers, and a blueprint for combating them in her book, “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children’s Lives.”
It may seem harmless, for example, for kids to be on their cellphones in the evening. But when a study of 11- to 17-year-olds found that 60 percent used their phones between midnight and 5 a.m. during a week, that’s concerning. Similarly, to know that almost 40 percent of 13- to 15-year-old girls report being exposed to unwanted nudity on social media is a reminder of the of the harmful content that exists.
The book presents the direct relationship between social media use and teen depression. Addictive algorithms, lack of sleep and overall lack of judgement and emotional maturity by other teens can all conspire to contribute to this. For children, the stakes are even more stark.
Parents who seek to provide phone and social media restrictions face the wrath of their almost-adults, but inciting their temporary displeasure is worth it to protect their mental health and well-being. Twenge suggests 10 rules that are designed to guide and protect them.
Some of these rules are restrictions: banning phones from the bedroom at night and keeping their distractions out of the classroom. Another is creating electronic no-zones, such as on vacation. She recommends age restrictions on electronic devices, certain apps and especially on social media. Twenge balances this with encouragement to allow kids opportunities with the freedom to do for themselves.
Success is more likely when parents become examples of what they are trying to accomplish. Limiting their own electronic device use before bedtime and not pulling out a phone during a conversation are two examples. Another is to avoid letting the lenient parent be in charge of the rules.
Twenge was once advised, “You are not raising children. You are raising adults.” Part of the strategy is thinking long-term.
These rules are not foolproof. Even when there is a healthy level of trust in a family, the siren song of media is hard to resist. Twenge provides examples of mistakes made with the three daughters in her own home. Sites such as The Anxious Generation can provide additional support.
Since this book was written, keeping phones out of schools has generated much more news. Nearly a billion children in more than 100 countries and a majority of U.S. states now have school cellphone bans, even as studies examine their effectiveness.
If you are seeking to explore how technology and media may be affecting children (particularly your own), this book is an excellent resource to begin your search.
Ken Satterfield is a circulation assistant at Missouri River Regional Library.
