YES! 

Using language kids use today… FACTS!

Yesterday, a report was released pointing to our children’s use of social media on smartphones (aka iPhones) as a potential cause of mental distress. I think all of us may have the same response… “Duh!”  but now we have actual proof.

The article, which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, notes there has been an increase in teenagers in Ontario, Canada reporting “moderate to serious mental distress.” The report links the growth in these cases to the rise of social media and smartphones, which have become commonplace since 2011.

Of course, scientists will not outright say one causes the other; but the link is highly probable. Let’s all be completely honest with ourselves…we could probably say there’s a slight chance it’s true in our own lives. 

About two months ago, I proposed a question to you… the MAPLERIDGE Family.

“What is the biggest challenge you face as a parent today?” 

I was shocked by the response…it was almost unanimous. Ready for it…

SCREEN TIME

Over 70% of your responses surrounded our kids and their phones, computers, and video games. Clearly screen time and social media is a challenge we all face as parents![btx_quote author=”” style=”block” position=”right”]Whether we like it or not, smartphones aren’t going anywhere. However, the way you and I use smartphones and social media is within our control. [/btx_quote]

The question that has been haunting me for two months is:

“What solutions are out there for us as parents?”

I know one solution that will NOT work… getting rid of phones!

Whether we like it or not, smartphones aren’t going anywhere. However, the way you and I use smartphones and social media is within our control.

I’m still working on solutions to protect my own girls from potential negative effects of social media and smartphones.

But I did want to offer you 2 SIMPLE SCREEN SOLUTIONS we can easily implement today:

• Establish Screen Times Limits On All Phones – yours included!

This is harder than it sounds. I would start simply with one hour after we wake up, and one hour before we go to bed.  I’ve even deleted the email app off my phone so I’m not tempted to check it when I first wake up in the morning. Apple’s Screen Time feature is great; if you want to learn how to set screen time limits… click here!

• Establish “No Screens” At Meal Times. 

Once again, this sounds awesome in theory, but it’s hard. Whether you are at home or out to eat… put the phone down. In fact, when eating out, I would recommend you have the family leave their phones in the car.

I know these aren’t new ideas…but if we all took a few simple steps, we can begin to take back control of our phones. Did you know campers and staff love not having their phones at camp? They constantly tell me how less stressed they feel not being attached to their phones. Maybe we can implement a little of that camp experience into our daily life at home.

Lastly, if you want to get serious about being in command of your own life and not feeling enslaved to your phone, I highly recommend you pick up Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport. Wow, it was a wake up call for me and an incredible resource!

These are just a few simple steps I’ve begun to implement. I’m curious, do you struggle with limiting your phone use? Do you fight with your kids on when and how much they use their phones? Email me, I’d love hear your thoughts!

Let’s take back control together.

MAPLERIDGE, y’all are the best!

CHIEF