SAN DIEGO — Worried about your child’s smartphone use getting out of hand? You should be. A new study finds that teens who are hooked on their phones and other digital devices are “markedly” unhappier than their less-plugged-in peers.
Researchers from San Diego State University and the University of Georgia examined data on more than a million 8th, 10th, and 12th grade American students participating in the long-term “Monitoring the Future” study. Participants were polled on their mobile device and computer use and their amount of face-to-face social interaction with others. They were also surveyed on their level of overall happiness.
The big question is how do you limit the use of their cell phones or computer without having an atomic bomb go off of them threatening to kill themselves?
Be a parent and have some control. Easy no! Necessary yes. Stop listening to idiot mental health professionals who tell you to respect and listen to your child’s emotions. These devices are emotional killers and dampeners.
Ask them to help set limits. Ask them what would be reasonable and then stand by their agreement. That is teaching responsibility and helping them to learn self-management.
Require that phones be off at bedtime. No ifs or but or howling like a banshee. Sleep is absolutely necessary for teens and millennials. Sleep is necessary for adults. When they don’t get it they get depressed, anxious, fail and will not thrive.
If you do not get compliance, you get more control. If a child is able to go ballistic over the limit or loss of a cell phone or computer, that is a clear indication there is something wrong. You as the parent are responsible until they leave home.
You likely pay for the phone, so you have the right to teach your child the old adage – He or she who pays gets to control. Same goes for a car.
The goal is responsibility. Responsible kids are happier kids. They are more creative, active and social.
If you need help with this issue you can hire a parent or teen coach. We are here to help.
email info@MyLifeScene.com or call (425) 492-4300 and set up a time with one of our coaches.
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