This is something that I really care about, for society and my own kids. At 8 and 10 I am really starting to get worried about when peer pressure will dictate that they need a smartphone. I would rather they didn't have one until 18 but that is simply not practical, they would get left behind socially and would struggle to thrive in today's world without one. However, there is, as you say Tom Head so much harmful content out there. We have to work really hard to shelter them from it, explain it to them, show them good examples of how to behave. We are in the fortunate position to understand the industry, the devices, the algorithms so we need to use that to explain to our kids and their friends what is and isn't real. I am fiercely proud of my kids, they are truly awesome humans already and I refuse to let technology change that
The teenager screen time epidemic is crazy. They spend over 7 hours a day on screens. And it's not just the time, it's what they're exposed to. They have access to any content in combination with isolation effect created when you're on the phone. Whether you believe there's correlation between this and our mental health problems or not, this cannot be a good thing. I also heard that the average teenager would see more naked images of the opposite sex in one week that their grandparents would see in their whole life. At my son's school the turning point is year 7, when they are around 11 years old and the number of kids with a smartphone jumps from 23% to 89%. I'm all behind keeping kids off smart phones until they are MUCH older given what we now know. #tech #teens #mobiles #phones
Lisa Pinto
1w
Agreed it's a dilemma. Mine got them with strict controls when they went to senior school. The other solution has always been open dialogue and slightly obliquely - sport - of which as you know I'm a huge advocate.. Both boys being avid footballers has meant the isolation thing isn't a thing and their screens just haven't been their primary focus. I don't have all the answers but that's worked for me.
Cliff Lay
6d
I highly recommend ’The Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt… lots of background on how & why adolescent brains aren’t ready for smart phones generally and social media in particular Plus some recommendations on what to do about it
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2dThis an awesome topic, we’re actually not giving them smart phone at first. Because they have iPads for use at home. We’re going with phones that are phones. But it’s an experiment. And I think more parents may move this way. But yes, putting kids behind a tech curve is also a real risk. As is bullying. It’s a minefield. But, phones only first. And let’s see.