Pastoral Care

TEENS AND TECHNOLOGY

It often appears that teenagers spend a significant portion of their day on technology and the internet.  Grasping the relationship between teenagers and technology can feel quite daunting. It often appears that teenagers’ lives are centered around their phones and other tech. From the internet and social media to phones, apps, games, television, and various other technologies, these tools are becoming integral to our daily lives. Many young people, often called ‘digital natives,’ have never experienced life without them.  Determining the boundary between beneficial use and overuse can be challenging

What is a healthy limit to set for my teenager?

The old guideline of limiting young people’s screen time to two hours per day is being reconsidered. In today’s world, where technology is essential for education, social networking, and entertainment, this limit is no longer practical. Instead, it’s more crucial to set boundaries on recreational screen time and emphasize the quality of activities your children engage in on their devices.

Ask questions like:

• Where is my child looking for information? How do they know it’s good quality?
• What kind of games and apps is my child using?
• Are they using their screen time for distraction or procrastination?

These sorts of questions will help you find the line between healthy and unhealthy use of technology for your family.

Strategies to try at home

Your teen is probably quite attached to their device, and they might even be glued to a screen at this very moment.  While screen time often gets criticized, it's not harmful if balanced with other activities like reading, school clubs, and physical exercise. Here are some ways to encourage them to take breaks from technology:

• Undertake a family screen audit.  It’s essential for families to collaborate in establishing technology use guidelines. Begin with an open discussion and conduct a screen audit of each member’s tech usage. After this, you’ll be well-prepared to set family technology rules together.
• Help your child find face-to-face activities that suit their interests. Concerned that your child might not be spending enough time socializing offline? Take an active interest in their online activities, hobbies, and interests. Look for opportunities where they can explore these interests in the real world, such as joining gaming groups at school or in the community, participating in reading and writing clubs, and more.
• Have technology-free zones. There’s a proper time and place for technology, and it’s not during family moments (like at the dinner table) or in the bedroom, especially at night when it’s time to wind down for sleep. Additionally, turn off the TV when you’re not actively watching to reduce distractions.
• Give good reasons. For instance, remind your child of the importance of being present during family time and explain that taking breaks from devices can help their body relax and prepare for sleep.
• Put a limit on recreational screen time. When your child is doing homework, encourage them to avoid social networking, phones, or games until they finish. This approach will help them stay focused and reduce procrastination.

Useful sources:

The Pastoral Care Team