"We must teach our children digital mindfulness—the ability to use technology responsibly and with awareness—so they can navigate the digital world safely and healthily." - Devorah Heitner
Key Concepts:
● The question isn’t “What is the right age for a phone?” The question is “What skills does my child need to be able to responsibly manage a phone and all the access that it provides?”
● At this stage in development you are the main influence in your child’s life and not only the one who monitors use but also who mediates the impacts of technology on your child’s development.
● The impact of technology on developing skills is highly dependent on temperament, environment and the individual child.
● We have to focus on self-regulation, impulse control, attention, identity and friendship skills in order to support responsible tech use.
● Screen time should be limited for children with ADHD. They often need more support in developing skills, especially around self-regulation, that are best developed through real-life interactions.
● There is compelling data to suggest that delaying social media use is beneficial for young children. This is related to the impact of social media when critical thinking and identity are developing, and when their brains are not well equipped to resist the dopamine rushes built into social media design.
What to Try:
● Have plenty of hands-on experiences and exploration.
● Practice self-regulation skills. Help your child to learn how to handle things calmly, find strategies for soothing, and tolerate distress.
● Let your child practice waiting. Work on promoting delayed gratification and not rushing to entertain your child every second.
● Focus on helping your child through hard moments without rescuing or distracting.
● Give your child age appropriate responsibilities.
● Focus on the parent-child relationship. Have family dinners, spend 1:1 time with each child, and promote open communication
● Notice your child’s friendships and social interactions. Help to promote real-life, in-person time with peers their age.