Did you know?
A three part series focusing on the rapid change with today’s youth and digital devices, specifically smartphones. Our goal is to help train our students and equip our parents to manage this area in healthy ways as we shift with today’s culture.
The Physical Effects of Digital Devices and Our Kids.
Today’s 24/7 digital world has created a noticeably different environment to grow up in than even only ten years ago. Most of today’s youth not only carries with them some sort of technology device, but many also carry an assortment of physical effects that often go unnoticed. As educators we want to bring awareness to this ever-changing culture and best prepare them for life-long health and learning.
In recent years, studies have shown that children and teenagers today are experiencing a variety of symptoms that are very likely related to the increased use of smartphones and prolonged interaction with digital devices.
Have you noticed any of these effects in your child or those living in your home?
Tasks being left undone, poor sleep patterns, or chronic loneliness could all be related to prolonged smartphone and digital device use. It is important for educators, as well as parents, grandparents, and other adults to work together to create healthy boundaries, positive experiences, and make educated decisions regarding the use of these devices in our kids’ everyday lives.
We are noticing and studies are proving a variety of symptoms that are very likely related to digital device use, especially our favorite smartphones.
Have you noticed any of these effects in your child or those living in your home?
- less productive
- unable to concentrate
- less capable of finishing a task
- unequipped for healthy communication
- unable to fully empathize
- irregular sleep patterns
- mental health patterns such as anxiety and depression
- abnormal loneliness
- increased back and neck problems
- higher levels of obesity
- increase in auto accidents
- Inadequate development of a child’s brain
- Irrational explosive behaviors
- Inability to make real friends
- shopping, gaming, social media addictions
- misusing age-appropriate internet sources
- suicide
- bullying
- academic delays
As we see more and more kids experience some of these conditions, we want to be intentional in being proactive to help our next generation navigate this digital culture they are growing up in. We would invite you to join us in helping equip today’s students to be healthy digital device users.
Here are a few suggestions for creating a healthy environment for our youth as they grow up in one of the smartest generations ever!
- Carve out times when phones/digital devices are turned off
- Declare the dinner table a phone free zone
- Do not take phones/digital devices to bed
- Schedule digital device/phone free activities
- Limit screen use, especially to children under 3
- Try to turn off smartphones one hour before bed
- When using a device, try holding it at eye level
- Never use a phone when driving
- Monitor smartphone and digital device use (especially internet and social media)
- Talk about it with your kids!
We know so much of life, school, and work is happening through today’s digital device and smart phones. Given the potential dangers, we hope to encourage our youth to learn to unplug and choose healthy habits as digital technology users.
