Parents worry about a lot of things.
But one of our persistent concerns is our kids’ smartphones. We justify their use by embracing their necessity. How else can we communicate about school pickups and sports practices?
With that comes access to various minefields, from gaming to social media. As they go off to school and other activities, we wonder if they see things they shouldn’t, talk to people they shouldn’t or rot their brains with excessive screen time.
The remedies are obvious, just hard to implement: Don’t get kids a phone, ban social media or allow social media with boundaries and parental controls. A new federal bill might help parents find a solution.
Parents, children face challenges with social media and smartphones
We know now that excessive social media use increases depression and anxiety. A 2023 surgeon general advisory found that 40% of children ages 8 to 12 are on social media.
Social media and smartphone use have become so commonplace and ubiquitous that it truly does seem hard, if not impossible, to police, given everything parents have going on, including working a full-time job, maintaining relationships, and caring for themselves and their children.
Biden, Trump need extremists to win.It’s pushing average voters away.
I have four children, and I’m constantly ruminating over the question: What is more important than my child’s physical safety and emotional well-being?
Three of my children have phones, so I’ve banned social media altogether. They also have…
