Overuse of smartphones

Baldytyke88

Ten plus years ago, I was concerned about the overuse of smartphones; it must be really difficult for todays parents.
I considered some sort of blocking device, as I could not ban the mobile itself because I lived apart from my daughters mother.

I understand signal blockers are banned, but how do people cope today?

elsien

How do people cope with what?

Is your concern for yourself, your daughter?

BridgetTheCat

Define overuse.

A smartphone is just a number of devices rolled into one:

Phone/text

Email

Google/browser

Clock/watch

Calendar/diary

Card wallet

Camera

Photo album

Satnav

Newspaper

Ebook reader

Radio/podcast & music player etc etc etc

Previously we’d have spent time using all of these, but we wouldn’t have rolled it all together and called it overuse.

Peter999_2

Reminds me of a 1871 serious newspaper article. They was widespread concern that children and adults were spending too long and getting addicted to reading books.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002486#Comment_82002486

Reading books vs going outdoors affects whether people are short or long sighted, I am sure there are other effects for bookworms.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15427954

Anything done too much can have adverse side effects. Smartphones are radically shifting childhood from a play-based culture to a screen-based one. They impact children by shortening attention spans, increasing anxiety and depression, disrupting sleep cycles, and altering how kids socialise.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002443#Comment_82002443

My concern is for the next generation

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002516#Comment_82002516

I would be more concerned if my son had no access to a smartphone. As above there is a long list of things that you can do on a smartphone that previously you needed multiple devices for or more scrolling on a pc.

unforeseen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002514#Comment_82002514

I think they may have extrapolated the data incorrectly.

I am of the generation that got kicked out of the door at 8AM and told to be back for lunch/tea. I have worn glasses for myopia since the age of 7.

I am also an avid reader, however, the only thing I read before about the age of 10 were school books. After that I discovered libraries

UnsureAboutthis

It is no more difficult than just being a good, caring, alert parent. You do your best to get a balance and give the kids insight re-balance/safety, etc., but kids will be kids—e.g., in many cases easily led thinking like most kids do, as I did, that we know better.

About the "next generation..your concerns," my concern is many kids in many cases not wanting to work, ie easier to claim benefits and enjoy their smartphones, playing online games etc and chill out, and those who work, a lot more on 'work/life balance' and blanace in favour of a lot less hours working and wanting everything today via borrowing/etc

You can only do your best but sadly too many parents/step-partners, etc, etc can't even look after thier own responsibilities.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002599#Comment_82002599

Technology is part of most children’s lives from an early age. It can help children learn, build friendships and develop creativity. But it also brings risks, and many parents, teachers and young people have told us the current situation is not working well enough. 

Social media use among children and adolescents is almost universal.  The proportion of children with social media profiles has increased significantly in the last 5 years. We must ensure children can engage with the online world safely, and that parents and carers feel confident to support and empower their children online. 

This consultation is the next step in the government’s work to ensure children’s experiences online are safe and enriching. We want to understand how technology impacts children’s wellbeing, and what more we can do to help families strike the right balance.

Growing up in the online world: a national consultation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation

Stuart_W

One thing parents of children at the top end of primary age can do is buy the book "The Amazing Generation" for their child BEFORE they get their own smartphone.

This forum site is about being a savvy consumer - children need to understand the "market" they are entering when their attention is being trading for mega money by a small handful of very big tech companies.

This book does it brilliantly. It is accessible, clearly laid out in short chunks with cartoon strip parts throughout, lots of real life testimony, and helps children to understand the deliberately addictive nature of smartphones.

I've been a junior school online safety lead for 13 years and have seen a huge change in the way children interact with technology in that time. Education about online safety is critical, but it needs to go well beyond the "be kind online" and "be careful what you share" message of 15 years ago to fully understanding the addictive-by-design nature of phones, platforms, games and apps.

That's my advice as a professional working with children. As a parent, I have children currently in Year 5 and Year 7 (age 9 and 12), and neither have phones.