It’s no secret that teenagers are obsessed with their phones. Allowing them to have access to social media, games, and entertainment content can be beneficial, but it can also cause problems. For some teens, particularly those who suffer from depression or anxiety, it’s not uncommon to feel low when the screen time exceeds limits.
While parents typically think of prohibiting their teens from using electronics in the bedroom, prohibiting them from using electronics outside of the bedroom is also essential. To ensure that your teen gets the mental and physical benefits from their screen time but doesn’t have access to something that could cause them harm, here are some recommendations.
Set Limits
Just because your teen is allowed to have electronic devices doesn’t mean that they need to be accessible all the time. Setting limits on how much time your kids spend on their electronics can make a significant difference. Not only will they feel a sense of accomplishment at restricting their use, but it can also help to improve overall wellbeing. Studies have shown that too much screen time can lead to depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem.
To start, you can monitor how much time your teen spends on their electronics. Ask them how much time they spend on their phones, tablets, and/or laptops. Establish the amount of time that they should be spending on these devices and ensure that they don’t exceed. It’s important to set consistent rules and limits for how much time your teens can spend on their electronics so that they don’t feel that they’re being treated differently than any other part of their day-to-day life.
Take Breaks
Continuously sitting for long periods of time can cause serious health problems. Just because your teen is able to utilize electronic devices doesn’t mean that they should be glued to them all day long. Standing or walking every hour or so can help to keep your teen’s health in good condition, as well as increase their energy levels.
If your teen is on a phone, tablet, or laptop the entire time they’re at school, it can be detrimental to their health. Frequent hand-me-down examinations suggest that excessive use can cause serious problems such as sleep apnea, laryngitis, and even a collapsed lung. Setting aside at least 10 minutes every hour or two to stretch and breathe can help to keep your teen healthy and give them an extra boost of energy when needed.
Turn Off The Technology When Your Teen Needs More Mental Energy
Although their bodies are busy growing, developing, and maturing, teenagers’ minds are still relatively immature. Prohibiting your teen from using electronics can help to keep them focused on more important matters. Studies have shown that frequent or prolonged use of electronics can lead to depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem. If your teen is already facing challenges in these areas, prohibiting them from using electronics can be a simple way to improve their mental health and wellbeing. For those who suffer from depression and anxiety, it can be beneficial to deliberately take them away from their phones and other electronic devices.
When you hear the term electronic detox, does that sound like something your teen needs? More and more families are discovering the merits of taking a break from technology and opting for a digital detox during this time of year. In addition to reducing the amount of time that your teen uses electronics, a digital detox can help to improve sleep quality and reduce stress and anxiety. If your teen is approaching puberty, a digital detox can also be a good opportunity to have a detailed conversation about puberty and what expectations you have for them regarding social media and other electronics. What do you want them to understand about these topics? A digital detox can also be a great way to reconnect with their body and increase their awareness of the changes happening around them.
Taking a break from technology can certainly be beneficial for your teen. However, it’s not always easy to determine when and how long a break is needed. If you have a clearer picture of the challenges that your teen is facing, you can make better-informed decisions about when and how much technology they need.