Is your child a social media addict?
Is there a battle to get them off their phone or laptop? Do they seem sad and isolated when you take it away from them for even 5 minutes? It’s not uncommon these days.
We’ve all heard of the studies on how kids are addicted to screens, but what can we do about it? This article will tell you everything you need to know about children and social media addiction so that you can start doing something about it!
1. The internet has become a breeding ground for bullying, negativity, and social media
2. Social media is addicting – children are constantly checking their phones to see what’s going on with friends
3. Social media can make you feel inadequate or inferior when you compare your life to others
4. It’s easier than ever before for strangers to contact children online
5. Parents should be aware of what their child is doing on the internet so they can monitor it and talk about it if necessary
6. Children need constant guidance from parents in order to avoid being negatively influenced by social media
A new study has found that nearly one in four children is addicted to smartphones and other mobile devices, while some psychiatrists say the number could be far greater. The survey of more than 1,500 parents with children 18 and younger also revealed that many parents don’t set time limits.
Also, did you know that social media might trigger children’s anxiety and depression, an article reference from the Washington post? There have been many studies done linking the use of social media with increased levels of anxiety in children, especially in younger age groups.
A study was conducted by researchers at Boston University who found that when they surveyed over 2,600 middle-schoolers between the ages of 12-14 about their social media usage, they found that those who were more active on sites like Twitter or Instagram reported higher levels of both depression and anxiety than students who used these services less often.
Moms, it’s hard to handle our kid’s screen time. We have all been there. We’re constantly worried about the negative impacts of too much screen time on our children: obesity, ADHD, sleep deprivation, social media addiction. It feels like we’re stuck in a lose-lose situation: if we restrict their screen time, they might rebel and spend even more time on screens when we’re not looking; if we let them have free rein, we’re afraid of all the potential harm that could come their way.
So what’s a conscientious mom to do?
Here are four tips for managing your child’s screen time without causing a rift in your relationship.
- One way is by setting limits on the amount of time your child spends in front of a screen.
- The second way is by installing software that will automatically block certain websites and apps at set times each day.
- The third solution is to have control over what they’re watching when they do watch TV, so turn off any channels you don’t want them seeing or put parental controls on all devices with screens in your home.
- Change the Wifi-Password. You can give it back to them when they finish their homework, complete chores or have fun Creating a Mental Learning Scavenger hunt to figure out the password.
I know it is not easy to reduce your child’s screen time, but the benefits are worth it.
|Another way you can help is by enrolling them in a martial arts class at one of our locations. A study from Oxford University found that kids who participate in martial arts classes have significantly reduced their risk for developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and behaviors. Not only does this make sense because they’re learning focus skills with repetition, but there may be something else going on here too – research has shown that when children learn martial arts exercises, their brain waves shift into alpha patterns which indicates “a relaxed state.” In other words, these types of activities promote relaxation while also developing skills that will help them grow into successful adults no matter what career path they choose in the future.
If you have been thinking about whether or not it would be worth investing in martial arts lessons for your child – don’t wait another minute longer! Give us a call today at (401) 349-5800 or email [email protected] with your questions.