Social media can be emotionally overwhelming to children.There’s a lot of talk lately about whether or not children should have smartphones at school. As someone who went to school long before the internet, I’m struggling with how this is even a discussion. When I was growing up, I loved watching television. If I had a TV that fits in my pocket back then that I could take to school and check every few minutes, I would have been glued to the screen.
Looking at it from a wider perspective, are smartphones or unlimited computer access good for children still developing their emotional and cognitive abilities? Whether it’s at school or home,ideation that swirls around youth today, perhaps we should reconsider whether it’s in their best interest to have smartphones or unrestricted access to computers.
We restrict things we consider harmful to children all the time. They don’t get to have ice cream for dinner; they don’t get to stay up until 2 am on school nights; they don’t get to take trips to Europe by themselves, etc. While we all want them to be happy and feel good about us and their lives, some limits are necessary. It is up to us to setthat we think are in their best interests. Yet, most of us find it very difficult to do this with our smartphones and computer access.
The bottom line is that unrestricted use of smartphones can lead to situations that teens may not be developmentally prepared to handle. By limiting the sites they can access and making sure they can’t distract themselves at school, we can aid them in their journey. Flip phones can still allow them to reach us if they need us. They don’t need the distractions of smartphones.When I was 12, I would have loved to have access to a television at school.
At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that could derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face triggers with less reactivity and get on with our lives.