2012: End of childhood
THE year 2012 was the moment our kids lost their childhood.
Recent research out of the United States reveals a sharp decrease in well- being among adolescents from 2012 onwards – the year when smartphone ownership became common among teens.
Using survey data from 1.1 million young people, the researchers found that adolescents who spent more time on social media, texting, gaming and the internet were less happy, had lower self- esteem and lower satisfaction with their lives.
But what about the wellbeing of Australian adolescents? As someone who works with thousands of young Australians each year to prevent mental ill- health, I repeatedly get asked if rates of mental illness in young Australians are increasing and if so, what has caused it.
Well, yes, rates of youth mental ill- health do appear to be on the rise here.
The recent “report card” by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth revealed an increase in the number of young Australians experiencing “high or very high” psychological distress between 2011 and 2015, while the most recent annual Mission Australia Youth Survey found for the first time that mental health was now the number one concern of young people. WHEN our babies get a little bit older and enter the toddler years, we tend to get a little bit more lax about safety. But choking is still a leading l cause of hospitalisation h in children under un n five, so it’s important to take tak ke the risks seriously. According A to the Raising Two major changes in the last 10 to 15 years have significantly altered the psychological environment in which kids grow up: technology and parenting practices.
Smartphones, gaming over Wi- Fi and social media platforms have combined to alter the way young people spend their time. These technologybased pursuits have taken them away from non- screen activities that are associated with greater wellbeing.
The US study found that adolescents who spent more time on non- screen activities such as face- to- face social interactions and exercise were likely to be happier. Limit time on devices. Providing a smartphone to your child should be based on a clear agreement. Teens should meet their responsibilities first ( i. e. homework, chores), then they get screen time.
After a set time at night, phones should go away, and not be allowed in the bedroom overnight.
We should also look to the positive opposite of the withdrawn, socially disengaged behaviours associated with smartphone use:
Encourage kids to engage in face- to- face social activities.
Playing sports, especially team sports ( this is a natural resilience- builder for kids).
Parents shouldn’t be afraid to directly coach their kids on social skills.
Parents can reduce overparenting by letting their kids take on challenges and responsibility knowing that sometimes disappointment and failure are a part of that.
Look for ways to expand your kids’ comfort zone in a gradual, age- appropriate way because taking on challenges, becoming independent and having responsibility will all help to build your child’s capacity to handle future challenges.
Finally, parents should coach their kids to challenge the “perfect” images and scenarios found on social media.
Prompt your teen to ask two key questions when consuming any kind of social media: ( 1) What is not realistic about this image?, and ( 2) How are they trying to influence me?
Dr Tom Nehmy is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Healthy Minds Program.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit its website.