Unplugging Children from Technology
Summer camps in Europe and around the world are beginning to realise the importance of being technology free. However, what are some key questions parents can ask themselves?
As soon as you wake up in the morning do you check your phone before even saying good morning to your spouse / partner? While sitting at a meal with your family do you text someone who’s not there? Or just leave the phone on the table? What about your children?
If yes … then it’s best to read on because maybe it’s time to unplug from technology …
Scientists tell us that using social media and our phones releases a chemical called dopamine. That’s why when you get a text, it feels good. When someone likes one of your pictures on Facebook, or comments on something you’ve shared on Instagram. It feels good.
Do you know that good feeling that people get when they drink alcohol? Smoke? Gamble? Yep. That’s dopamine again. In other words, it’s very very addictive. However, we have age restrictions on cigarettes. Alcohol. Gambling. But nothing on the use of social media or mobile phones.
What this means is that your children, especially when they’re going through the high stress of teenage life, have easy access to the numbing and addictive effects of social media and mobile phones.
At this stage in their lives, they’re no longer turning to the comforts of parents, but that of their peers. The problem is that many teenagers admit that their friendships are superficial, and that they can’t count on their friends. If something better comes up, their friends will cancel on them. It’s the unfortunate truth.
As a result, many simply don’t have any deep meaningful relationships, or the coping mechanisms to deal with stress.
So when significant stress comes into their lives, they’re not turning to a person. They’re turning to a device. They’re turning to social media. They’re turning to their phones.
As a parent that’s scary and it’s difficult to know what to do.
To begin with, set the right example. For the first hour of every day don’t check your phone. Leave it off the table over meals. Avoid it during your son/daughter time. Train yourself to schedule parts of your day away from devices.
And encourage your children to follow in your steps by using technology less. Find a place for them, like summer camps, to unplug from technology completely where they can reconnect with themselves and nature.
