In today’s world, it’s increasingly rare to see youth without a device nearby. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop or smartwatch, children and teens are almost always connected. It’s a reality of the modern world that can have both benefits and drawbacks, with parents striving to find the right balance.
“These devices make it easier for parents and guardians to keep track of their children, which provides an extra sense of safety. Everyone knows they can quickly and efficiently communicate, especially if there is an emergency,” said Suzana Flores, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist with Ochsner Health Center - Gause in Slidell who has written and presented extensively on technology use. “However, the main drawbacks are cyberbullying and privacy risks. With so much access to the internet, it can create a lot of distraction for kids and make it easier for them to be victims of bullying.”
Dr. Flores said many kids, and even adults, underestimate how many people can see their communications on social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and others are public forums where thousands of people can view posts, even sometimes circumventing privacy settings. This means that if a young adult posts content that generates teasing or negative comments, it can quickly escalate.
“It’s not just one or two people that are responding when it’s cyberbullying. It can be hundreds of people attacking this one child,” she said. “Even if a child gets rid of a certain profile and creates a new one, kids are often smart enough to find and follow the new account. It can become uncontrollable very quickly.”
However, Dr. Flores said, there are smartphone alternatives available that let kids stay in touch with their families and friends without posing as many potential risks. Basic cell phones offer calling and texting capabilities without the distractions of internet access. Smartwatches specifically designed for kids often have features like calling and texting, GPS tracking and sometimes fitness tracking. In addition, devices like tablets and laptops that students may need for classwork and use for entertainment can be equipped with parental controls. Dr. Flores said these features let parents limit their child’s screen time, monitor overall usage and block certain websites or inappropriate content.
“When I meet with parents, one of the comments I hear often is that they want to take the devices away,” Dr. Flores said. “That’s not really the best approach, because this is their child’s world. They will get that access somewhere else. It’s much better to sit down with your child and learn about the apps and social media networks they are using. It’s good to have conversations about the risks out there, particularly when it comes to cyberbullying and misinformation. It’s about understanding the devices and choosing the ones that are most appropriate.”
No matter what type of technology a child or teen is using, Dr. Flores said parents and guardians should keep a close eye on the time spent on the devices. Studies show that signs of unhealthy device usage can include trouble sleeping, increased stress and lower academic performance. Kids may also struggle with in-person conversations if much of their interactions are happening through screens rather than face-to-face. Dr. Flores said she gleaned insights into these feelings when researching her book, “Facehooked: How Facebook Affects Our Emotions, Relationships, and Lives.”
“I was interviewing teens, and I asked them why they felt the need to respond to messages immediately. The most amazing response was one [teen] who said they weren’t comfortable with the silence,” she said. “We all need to realize that we need silence and periods of time to practice introspection and just kind of weigh things.”
To create periods of time for both reflection and interaction, Dr. Flores recommends that families set aside certain blocks where no one is on their devices. Dinnertime can be an ideal opportunity for both kids and adults to put the technology away and talk to one another. And, while it is often tempting to scroll through social media at night, putting phones and tablets away can help the brain unwind and prepare the body for better sleep.
In Louisiana, lawmakers and education officials are also seeking balance between device usage and distraction. According to a new state law, during the school day, public school students cannot have personal cellular devices turned on or visible during instructional periods, mealtimes, class breaks or any other time the student is on school grounds.
“This is a good time for families to do a little reset and establish some rules about how they use devices,” Dr. Flores said. “It’s also important for parents to meet with school administrators if they want to talk about their rules, not just for phones, but also for cyberbullying. I think we all want to know that we are taking the steps that we can to protect our children.”