In a time where technology is morphing daily, we must understand its impact on us and more importantly, on our children.
We must be able to have a clear divide on it positive use and when it starts to get negative. In this article we focus on its negative effects on children and teens.
Briefly listed below, are negative aspects that we should look out for:
- The Traps: Like-buttons, Tagging, Blocking as tools that can be used for silent bullying through non-inclusion – which can be a form of bulling. Remember, the refresh Button has the same effects on the mind as gambling.
- Straight-up Bullying: Direct messaging that insults or berates behind in the confines of a DM.
- The Selfie functions: The ability to alter/filter how one actually looks on an image by creating the persona one wishes – the other false ‘mirror’. Resulting in detrimental effects of having a ‘mirror’ (screen/adulterated image) that conflicts with reality.
- Boredom: The kryptonite for social media and gaming addictions. During episodes of boredom, avoiding seeking out other activities that encourage creative and critical thinking.
- Garden Vs Gadget: How much time is spent outdoors Vs the indoors and ON a device.
- The Illusion of Missing Out: That consuming feeling that you are missing out on something more interesting online (chats, games, mindless scrolling) by doing more constructive activities such as (playing, spending time with family, reading, enjoying a meal).
- Lack of time cap: Children who spend more than 2 hours on all devices TOTAL whether TV, Phone or Gaming have worse memory and attention span (Lancet Child and Adolescent Health Research).
These are just a few highlights to heighten your awareness and to start or continue conversations on these issues with your children. Particularly, after a season of being cooped up at home and likely having more screen time than we normally would.
In another articles, we will tackle these things in detail.
In our one of our Self-assurance lessons in the Crown Bearer Program, we tackle social media in our ‘The Screen, The Mirror’ lesson plan. A workshop that calls for balance and awareness using the principles of Self-assurance.