Do we support a Social Media ban?
This is the burning question of the moment in Australia so we thought it would be a great time to share our thoughts on this important topic.
Yes, at Screen Sanity we support all actions taken to help parents raise their children in the digital age. Putting an age on social media certainly makes these conversations easier for parents to have with kids, fellow parents, and the community at large. The evidence is pouring out that social media is affecting youth mental health so we need to do something about it.
BUT it doesn’t stop here. Banning social media is only part of this very complex puzzle. There is so much at play for all of us, no matter the age, when we have this powerful and addictive technology at our fingertips all of the time.
A government ban and age restrictions are very bold, big actions that we can take to mitigate some of the arising problems. But even the smallest actions at home can bolster digital health.
Screen Sanity exists to help families in this ever changing and complex space. Dive into our proactive resources, arrange a workshop with your group of friends, or take it to your school Principal or Well Being Officer so everyone in your community has the opportunity to learn and make a difference.
Before we get pulled too deeply into this political hotbed of distraction, at Screen Sanity we urge parents to:
- Reflect on their own social media and phone use (especially in front of their kids).
- Engage in as many screen-free activities as possible, even if boredom is one of them.
- Hold off on the introduction of smartphones for as long as possible. This can create a ripple effect in a community and every month, year, of childhood without constant internet access is valuable. Check out waitmate.org.au to help you with this.
- Talk to your child’s school about how much time they are spending on devices in the classroom. Consider this when giving screen time at home because it all adds up. As a society humans are spending way too many hours on technology which is bad for our holistic health in a number of ways
- Normalise verbal phone conversations, in person gatherings, screen-free playdates, and don’t feel that you need to photograph everything and/or post it.
A conscious step of making small changes in your individual homes can have a huge impact over time. So, as we navigate this new world of constant connectedness, let’s really come together as a united front to change the course for a thriving future.
