Social media and smart phones how they impact families by Kylie Bailey
How many of you have been guilty of being asked by your kids to put your phone down , and / or been a little too immersed in your screen when your kids are trying to get your attention ? I ’ m certain it ’ s a safe bet that we ’ ve all been guilty of this at one point … saying this , it doesn ’ t make it right .
Over the past decade , life has changed dramatically for most families , as we have catapulted into the screen generation thanks to the habit-forming nature of gadgets , smart phones and social media . However , I ’ m not sure 100 % convinced it ’ s making us smarter – as our basic communication skills seem to be fading away while we sit behind our screens .
The more people I discuss this with at workshops , coaching or in conversation with family and friends , the one common question that keeps coming up : is all this screen time giving us a better quality of life ? Like anything , there are both good and bad points of the beloved screens we ’ re so attached to . As we navigate the challenges of our children wanting increased access to screens , I always like to consider – what behaviour are they seeing us portray ?
Kids today are growing up in a time that is very different to any generation before them . We live in an age where kids would prefer to watch other kids play with toys on YouTube , rather than play with their own , and teenagers would prefer to lose a leg rather than their beloved phones / devices . Many parents are just as obsessed , as we scroll mindlessly on our own social media platforms , or use our smart phones for the plethora of other addictive features and stimulation it provides .
I ’ m even noticing Grandparents just as obsessed with their screens , whether they ’ re scrolling through Facebook , or glued-to addictive games . It ’ s fascinating to see a bunch of people , no matter what age , sitting together yet staring into their screens , rather than actively engaging with one another . It ’ s safe to say it ’ s becoming an epidemic … and one that ’ s in need of some boundaries .
Below are some tips that will help you take back control , and have better quality time together as a family …
• Lead from the front , and set the example of limited screen time .
• Follow the healthy screen-time guidelines . www . raisingchildren . net . au
• Make a rule to have no screens at your dinner table , or while sharing meals together .
• Set meaningful family time where everyone has face-to-face conversations , being present with one another ensures you all feel heard and your relationships stay connected .
• Have screen-free days once a week ( I know this may sound crazy … but you will be so much better for it ). If a full day seems too much , set a daily time limit instead .
• Create a set of family values ( i . e . – RESPECT , LOVE & COMMITMENT ) and make a family agreement that everyone agrees on . Setting and agreeing on clear boundaries like these will help to create a healthy foundation for your family , and your own mental space and mental health ; while also helping you to better navigate some of the battles around screen-time that you may face with your kids .
Many parents are experiencing these same issues with our kids becoming increasingly addicted to their screens – it ’ s so stimulating for their young developing minds , and while all their peers are doing it , they do not want to miss out on ANYTHING !
However smartphones , social media and our handheld devices are only going to get bigger , better and even more ingrained into our day-to-day-lives , as technology continues to improve and become even more intuitive over time , so it ’ s important to set those boundaries now .
Though it ’ s not all bad . One thing that ’ s guaranteed – kids today will be so much more advanced with knowledge than prior generations , as a result of the increased access to information courtesy of the likes of Google , Wikipedia and educational apps . We are in the ‘ era of information overload ’. We are also in the ‘ era of sharing overload ’. MOST IMPORTANT RULE – use social media platforms for positive interaction ONLY ! NO cyber bullying . NO passive aggressive comments or innuendo-laden memes directed at others .
There are many pros and cons regarding social media , and I do believe the good outweighs the bad .
However , emotions can be triggered through posts , so be mindful to be kind always . And if something continues to make you feel uncomfortable or negative – UNFOLLOW or UNFRIEND !
Life is way too short to let a social media post negatively effect your precious day .
So , LOVE your social media , LOVE your smart phones and devices … but always be mindful and respectful of others , browse responsibly , and aim to use your time wisely .
Kylie Bailey – Founder of Inspire Change Coaching . Specialising in Life , Career and Youth Coaching , Kylie runs many workshops on the Coast including one for Mums to assist with mindfulness , and to help with the overwhelm . As well as running incursions for School programs , and Life coaching workshops for all walks of life in Goals , Habits , Mindfulness , Happiness , Organisation , Corporates and Career Coaching . To book a workshop or 1 on 1 session , please visit www . inspirechangecoaching . com . au or call 0432 800 903 .
18 KIDZ ON THE COAST