Flow boss advocates for digital balance
IN HIS message at the annual Safer Internet Day Youth Summit last week, Flow Vice President and General Manager Stephen Price championed a pressing issue facing many youths in today’s digital society. Price urged high school students gathered at the Kendal Camp and Conference Centre in Mandeville, Manchester on February 6 to disengage periodically from smart devices and rediscover the enriching connections found in nature, human interaction, and personal introspection.
“While the Internet is a tool for empowerment, collaboration, and learning, the fact is, sometimes we just need to take a break,” Price advised. “It is important to disconnect ever so often; that means trading ‘screen time for green time’. Get out in nature!”
Price noted that personal accountability and the relationship individuals have with the Internet is a key factor in online safety. He further underscored the necessity of training young minds to resist the allure of constant dopamine stimulation prevalent with the use of social media platforms.
Recent studies highlight the profound neurological effects of excessive social media use on adolescents. Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealled that prolonged exposure to social media triggers a surge of dopamine in the brain, leading to addictive behaviours and diminished attention spans among youths. Furthermore, the American Academy of Paediatrics has reported that excessive screen time has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of social isolation among teenagers.
Recognising the imperative for alternative avenues of engagement, Price outlined several activities that foster holistic development and mental wellbeing among teens.
“There are other ways you can occupy yourself without a device,” Price added. “You can read a book, play a sport, or spend time with yourself journaling. Creative pursuits such as painting or playing musical instruments are fulfilling alternatives to digital dependency. There is no need to fear you are missing out on anything online.”
As a leading Internet service provider in the country, Flow says it prioritises initiatives that empower users to harness technology responsibly while safeguarding against potential harms. Over the years, Flow’s Safer Internet Day Youth Summit has provided a platform for students and school administrators to learn from a diverse blend of thought leaders on internet safety best practices.
Through ongoing partnerships with Government, NGOs and community organisations, Flow says it has continued to advocate for a balanced approach to digital engagement, ensuring that technology remains a tool for enrichment.