How dependent are you on your cell phone? Take an honest look at ourselves and our children’s relationship with this device, which has been in our hands for longer than you think. Let’s.
One psychiatrist told NBC 7 that we should take advantage of access to social media and smartphones, but we should always strive to be in control of our devices, not the other way around. added to.
“As soon as I woke up, I grabbed my phone,” said a Pacific Beach beachgoer.
When NBC 7 asked people if they take their cell phones to the restroom, the majority said yes.
“There’s a science, a business, an industry that tries to keep us on the phone,” says Dr. Willow Jenkins, a psychiatrist at Rady Children’s Hospital. She is no stranger to being hooked on her phone, she admits.
According to a survey by review.org:
- 89% of Americans check their phone within 10 minutes of waking up
- 60% of people sleep while using their mobile phone at night
- 75% use toilet
- 75% are worried about leaving their phone at home
- 47% feel panic or anxiety when their battery is low
The research found that younger people have a harder time losing their phones, a cause for concern for many parents.
Dr. Jenkins reveals that this is not just the fault of smartphones, but that the more we cling to them, the more we miss out on experiences that could strengthen our mental health.
Dr. Jenkins says there are some helpful tips.
- Keep children under 12 away from your smartphone
- People under 14 stay off social media
- Please give an example. There is no way around this.You can’t expect your child to do something you haven’t done yourself.
- Co-viewing and parental privacy tools may help set the tone with younger children
- Don’t be too hard on yourself or them.Smartphones are ubiquitous, so take the time to understand their role in your family
“Ask your kids what they like and don’t like about social media, and try to have an open and non-judgmental conversation. Of course, social media has its good points, but it also has its bad points. ” said the doctor. Jenkins.
This way, children can grow up with the benefits of technology rather than its drawbacks.
Dr. Jenkins added that her biggest thing is to not let kids use their phones at bedtime. When it affects your sleep, it can interfere with school and your overall mental health.
