Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Thursday, 11 July 2024 10:31

Constantly Connected? Smart and Safe Media Use
by Teresia Smith

Today our world is totally immersed in digital media. Everything from TV and videos to social media and video games. And it all can be obtained on multiple devices such as computers, gaming consoles, smart phones and other screens. All of this media can influence how our kids feel, learn, think about life and affect their behaviors. This makes it even more important to understand the risks involved and how we can keep a healthy balance for our family.
“Recent Common Sense Media research shows that media use by tweens (ages 8–12 years) and teens (ages 13–18 years) rose faster in the two years since the COVID-19 pandemic than the four years before. The research found 8- to 12-year-olds spend an average of five and a half hours a day on screens and consuming media. That rate climbs to over eight and a half hours a day for teens. Among teens, 79% said they use social media and online videos at least once a week, and 32% of these said they “wouldn’t want to live without” YouTube. And nearly two-thirds (65%) of tweens said they watch TV, 64% watch online videos and 43% play games on a smart phone or tablet every day” (Adapted from Beyond Screen Time: A Parent’s Guide to Media Use (Copyright © 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics). About 71% of parents report they are concerned about the amount of time their children spend in front of screens.

Like most things, there are risks and benefits and it is up to us how we monitor and control this risk. Digital media can be beneficial. We can learn new ideas and information, be aware of current events, participate in community happenings, and with so much school now transitioned to digital, we can work on assignments and even do group projects together online. Social media has become a beneficial and highly used tool to stay in touch with family and friends who may not live locally as well as a great outlet for those who may be disabled and homebound when it is not overused.
But what about the risks? Children and teens can become addicted to electronics. This can cause changes in behavior, and they may isolate and not have in person relationships and not learn important interpersonal skills. They can even become overstimulated and not get enough quality sleep. Most electronics do not encourage people to get up and move so there is also a trend toward obesity by those who overuse media. When children and teens fill their time with media, they tend to have delays in attention, thinking, language and social skills. The interaction with others is limited and opportunities are missed to interact. In addition to all of that, we also must be aware of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is hard to discover, hard to control and stop, and can be devastating to our youth.

As kids get older, you also have the issue of loss of privacy, predators and sexting. It has been reported that about 19% of teens have sent sexual photos. Everyone needs to know that once content is shared, they may never be able to fully delete it. Predators are experts at using media to access our children. Make sure teens are aware that people may not always be who they say they are online. The cute 17-year-old guy who is talking to you may actually be a 54-year-old predator. Sex offenders often use social networking sites, e-mail, and online gaming to contact and manipulate young people. And remind youth that any posts and photos shared online becomes a part of their digital footprint forever. More and more employers check social media posts before offering employment so this can create issues.

So, what can we do? As families, we can develop a media plan that can help our kids avoid overuse of media and help them engage in other healthy activities. Of course, this means we as parents must also limit our media use and be a good example. Not only limiting time usage, but also not allowing phones in bedrooms and bathrooms but requiring use in public areas. And there are various parental controls that are available to help identify concerning conversations or photos.

We also need to help our youth understand that what they see on social media and other online places is a digitally distorted reality. Often body images portrayed in media are unrealistic and can contribute to eating disorders. Things they see on media might also encourage them to participate in risky behaviors, such as those who have been injured by copying TikTok challenges. Video games and movies portraying violence has been shown to increase aggressive thoughts and behaviors.

Have open conversations with your teens so they will feel comfortable confiding in you. And educate yourself on media trends that may be threatening to the children in your life. Bottom line, everyone should be treating others with respect online and offline. Encourage youth to tell a parent or other trusted adult if they are being bullied, disrespected, attacked, or treated badly online or if someone sends them unacceptable photos.
Crisis Services of North Alabama offers free and confidential services to victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. To make an appointment at our Jackson County office, please call 256.574.5826. Reach out. You are not alone.