Youth Mental Health Day 19 September 2024
#ControlYourScroll
It’s normal to be worried about young people’s screen time. But young people are digital natives and technology is only expanding. We’re increasingly living our lives online. We know less is more; balance is everything . So, how can we foster a healthy relationship with technology for our young people?
Understanding usage
First, think about our digital consumption. How, when and why do we use? What behaviours do we role model? Secondly, think about our anxieties about young people’s screentime. Do we have any concerns? Teenagers use screens for a variety of reasons. Some of them vital to their development; for example, connecting with peers. Removing them from the digital world isn’t an option. Try to focus on open dialogue instead.
Connecting through conversation
Before talking with your teen, check your knowledge of online platforms. Give them the opportunity to share their thoughts. Think together about compromise – whether that’s setting time, platform or content limits. Ensure your young person understands online safety. Gauge their awareness and knowledge and fill in the gaps. Check age-appropriateness and privacy/security settings. Discuss who can view their content or contact them, as well as information, personal and identifiable, which should never be shared. Accessing their social media may feel appropriate. It’s up to you as the adult. But consider your teens privacy and how to foster respect while doing so.
Believing in balance and boundaries
We can all fall down the screentime rabbit hole, whether binge watching or scrolling. Finding balance can be tricky and is individualised. Even within a household, it’s different for each young person. It needs to be age and stage appropriate. Try and aim for consistency. Everyone needs to know who can watch, when and what they can access.
Boundaries help maintain this balance. Set expectations around screentime, eg, 30 mins after homework and no screen time at mealtimes or before bed. Consider limiting your own usage, and role modelling healthy consumption.
A safe set up
Some young people use social media to find a sense of belonging. They may share personal experiences to foster connection. Discuss thinking critically about why they are posting and the impact on themselves and others. Personal experience, even when anonymous, can make them feel vulnerable later. Suggest they create a post but don’t publish immediately, giving themselves time to think it through. Sometimes, these posts are motivated by powerful or strong emotions. When we’re feeling this way, our higher thinking is clouded. By pausing before posting, they can get some distance from these feelings or do something to help shift their mood. Trusted adults can be a sounding board before posting too.
Managing mood
Content we upload and consume can impact our feelings. Recommend young people check in with their mood and be thoughtful about screentime. Compare and despair happens when we negatively compare our lives with the ones online, forgetting that we are seeing the highlight reel. Additionally, certain content can heighten stress levels, for example, about current events. We may feel lonely if we see others socialising without us. We know scrolling or watching can provide downtime. However, sometimes stepping away from the screen and fuelling our mental health in other ways can be helpful.
Curating content and comments
The content young people view on social media is important. Encourage selectiveness with who they follow and what they see, for example, positive or responsible news or sources of inspiration. Remember, algorithms mean the more you click on something, the more you see it! Choosing carefully can help boost rather than lower mood.
Their curated posts and comments are important too. Explain their content is a representation of who they are, want to be, and what they stand for. Are they posting with kindness and respect? Do they post with authenticity, sticking to their values and beliefs? Encourage them to be genuine and engage online appropriately.
Managing maliciousness
Sadly, some people use online platforms to cause offence, trying to elicit a reaction via posts or commenting, and thriving on the anonymity of the digital world. This can take many forms, including cyberbullying and trolling. Talk to your young person about this and ensure they know what to do if it occurs. Not responding directly is important. These people want a reaction. Starving them of this helps minimise online conflict. Instead, taking screenshots is important if content is deleted. Tell them to show a trusted adult and get support to report it. Empower them to report posts which are irresponsible or offensive, whether directed at them personally or others.
Overarchingly, we can help our young people set healthy boundaries and foster a positive relationship with technology. Have open, ongoing conversations with your young person about their usage and keeping safe. Help them think critically about digital consumption and content, considering the impact on themselves and others.
