Limiting screen time is something both parents and teens need to prioritize. Half of teens and 71% of parents believe social media to be damaging to youth mental health. Yet teens spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social platforms. Social media addiction is real. Teens and adults can easily become obsessed with social media so much so that the time they spend on platforms interferes with their daily lives. Limiting screen time and social media use is essential for overall well-being.
The best way to limit screen time is to set a family goal. It wouldn’t be fair for you to tell your child to stay off social media in the evening and then continue to play on Instagram when you’re supposed to be enjoying a movie as a family. What’s good for them, is good for you. Social media addiction affects both physical and mental health. Turn off your smartphones and television sets before dinner and then go outside for a walk after eating or play a board game as a family. Exercise and bonding time helps reduce stress and strengthens relationships.
Keep your smartphones turned off until morning or set them to Do Not Disturb or Sleep Mode. These controls allow you to shut off texts and other notifications yet permit calls in the event of an emergency. Store your teens’ smartphones and laptops in your bedroom overnight. If their devices are accessible to them, the moment you fall asleep they will be on social media and won’t get the rest they need to perform well in school. You can also set the Parental Controls on your teens’ devices to allow them to log on only during certain hours of the day.
The age at which you choose to allow your child to have a smartphone and access social media is a decision only you can make. As with anything that is completely forbidden, where there is a will there is a way. It’s better to have open communication and set boundaries and limitations for use than to attempt to keep them away from something all their friends have.