Using Screens as a Teenager
As parents, we ask ourselves a lot of questions about our teens’ use of digital media. Do they spend too many hours online? Is my teen a cyberaddict? Very few teens are cyberaddicts, but they may spend too much time using digital media. Others may spend a lot of time using these technologies, all while participating in a lot of other activities.
In collaboration with PAUSE.
To remember
👉 Hyperconnectivity refers to having digital devices constantly accessible, facilitating a permanent connection, which is often difficult to interrupt.
👉 Limiting screen time for teenagers reduces negative effects on their health.
👉 Discussing online risks with your teen and reflecting on the family's use of technology is crucial.
Hyperconnectivity: What Is It?
"Hyperconnectivity is characterized by the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) into the daily functions of organizations and groups, as well as into the lifestyles of individuals [...]. [ICT] lead to the emergence of multiple uses that can contribute to the development and quality of life of individuals or be associated with health issues."*
Hyperconnectivity is therefore a social context in which we evolve. The closeness of devices, the almost constant access to the network everywhere and at all times, the ability to do everything with our devices make it very easy to always be connected (and difficult to disconnect).
Among adolescents, excessive or inappropriate screen use can have negative consequences.
💡 It depends on each young person, but it should be noted that a young person who follows the recommendations (less than 2 hours per day of leisure screen time) minimizes negative health impacts.
Source: DRSP de Montréal (2019).
What is a balanced use of screens?
Several medical and health bodies have already issued recommendations to limit the negative consequences of screens on health and well-being in general, and thus allow us to enjoy the benefits that screens can bring. Among these recommendations, we can note the following:
The maximum daily leisure screen time, which will vary depending on the child's age;
The timing of use, meaning checking whether moments are appropriate (e.g., after finishing homework) or inappropriate (e.g., during meals);
The supervision of the content viewed (e.g., do the contents bring benefits or harm to the teenager?).
It is therefore important to have this frank discussion with your young person. You can even present different scenarios and conduct role play to discuss them together.
💡 Note that during adolescence, it happens that young people do not fully measure the consequences of some of their behaviors. This may lead them to take risks online: disclosing personal information, contacting unknown people, or sharing their contact details.
Getting involved: a key element
Often, screen use is a source of conflict between parents and teens for several reasons: misunderstanding, parents' feelings of powerlessness, impact on family life, concerns about the young person's development...
Here are some tips for addressing the topic with your teen:
Put yourself in the teenager's shoes Today, the digital world has a significant influence on crucial stages of adolescence (e.g., social links, identity development, exploration of the world outside the family unit, and acquisition of autonomy). Thus, it is not a whim for a teenager to use social media, play video games, or stream content.
For example, when a teenager tells us that they spent a lot of time chatting with friends, let's remember the time we could spend on the phone sharing with friends when all this did not exist!
Discuss with your kid
Yes, a parent has a crucial role in ensuring that their teenager uses screens with balance and discernment. It is important not to trivialize online time without appearing moralistic. It is also important to question them about their online activities and what it brings them, and to discuss with them the pros and cons of its use.
The parent's role, as in any other subject, is to accompany the teenager in their reflection, to provide them with a secure framework, to guide them in their information-seeking process.
Reflect on your own use
It is interesting to question ourselves, as adults in the home, regarding our own use of technologies. If we impose rules on our child (e.g., no phone at the table), do we follow these rules ourselves? Also, as parents, it's possible to mention that even for us, it can be difficult to maintain the digital balance that we ask of them.
💡 Consistent application of rules by all family members can show the young person that they are imposed for valid reasons and foundations applicable to everyone.
