As technology continues to transform society, we’re seeing an increasing number of kids and teens carrying smartphones. And while phones can be a great way for them to communicate with others, it’s important to recognize that they can also present some risks and problems.
So, how can we best support our children as they navigate their digital lives? Here are some tips to help you keep your teenagers safe and secure with their cell phones.
Social Media
The internet has made it easier than ever for people to communicate with others around the world. But it also has had some negative effects.
One of these is social media, a platform that allows users to create profiles and post photos and videos. These can then be viewed by people who know the person in the real world.
This has led to new kinds of relationships, with a more intimate connection than you’d get from traditional social networks. For example, a new app called Snapchat lets you take a photo, draw on it, and then send it to friends who can open it for you to see.
The app also allows you to set how long your snaps are visible for. So you can decide whether to make them disappear after a certain amount of time, or keep them up for as long as you want.
Text Messaging
Text messaging is one of the most common forms of communication among adolescents. Today nearly 91% of Americans and 75% of American teenagers have a cell phone (PEW Internet & American Life Project, 2012). Texting is so common people often ask about what does TBH mean in texting.
Adolescents use their cell phones to communicate with friends and loved ones through text messages. The vast majority of adolescents report texting friends daily or almost daily (Lenhart, 2015).
This is an important way for teens to connect with their friends and feel connected. However, texting can also create a distraction in their lives, taking them away from face-to-face conversations with friends and family.
Gaming
Gaming can be a great way for kids to spend time, but it can also lead to serious problems. Experts say that excessive gaming can affect children’s grades, their social lives and even their sleep.
Gaming also can lead to addiction. Teenagers are more likely to become addicted to video games than adults, and they may be unable to stop themselves from playing. Now they can even find ways to earn Bitcoin on iPhone.
In addition, teens who are addicted to video games tend to ignore their personal lives and get removed from society. These negative behaviors can have a serious impact on their futures.
Sleep
Insufficient sleep during adolescence can have serious consequences on mood and emotion, academic performance, and mental health. It can also lead to a weakened immune system, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Cell phones and other electronic devices emit blue light, which interferes with the brain’s ability to produce melatonin, a hormone that is necessary for sleep. The more time a teenager spends on screens, the less likely they are to get the sleep they need, according to dozens of studies and interesting facts.
Most teens are using their phones to check social media before going to bed, which can delay the production of melatonin and sabotage their ability to fall asleep. Moreover, teens often keep their phone on, unsilenced overnight, triggering alerts for incoming messages.