The American Psychological Association (APA) has released guidelines on how parents can ensure that their teens have a healthy relationship with their screens. The guide is meant to empower parents to strategically deal with teens’ extensive online viewing.
It may be a surprise to you, but the guide is not focused on reducing screen time.
Excessive video viewing
Many teens spend more time on their mobile phones, tablets, and PCs than they do engaging in any other activities. When they are online, a large chunk of the time is spent watching videos of sorts. Estimates suggest that twenty-two percent of teenagers in the US spend between 2 and 3 hours a day on TikTok. While a staggering 71 percent of American teenagers use YouTube at least once a day.
How to ensure that your kids have healthy video habits
Rather than focusing on the amount of time spent on screen, the APA suggests it is better to focus on what they are actually watching and how the use of the platforms they use influence their lives.
Simply cutting it out does not make teenagers equipped to deal with the online world in a reflective and thoughtful way. It is imperative that you help them to become critical of the content they watch so that they don’t just assume what they watch is correct. Spotting misinformation and understanding when AI may be used is key to a healthy relationship with the online world.
Don’t have a one size fits all approach
It is important for parents to remember that teenagers don’t all develop exactly at the same time. Hence, it is important to consider how video contents watched fits into the individual’s life. Some teenagers may perhaps be more sensitive or affected by social pressure. Thus, content that may be upsetting or lead to conformist behaviour should be discussed more or avoided, depending on the teen.
Other things to consider is whether screen time squeezes out more important aspects of life, such as exercise, social interaction, or sleep — all known to foster well-being.
How do you talk to your teen?
Don’t be critical of what your teen is watching, as that may simply create more distance between you. Instead show interest and curiosity. Ask them to share videos they like or that they find meaningful. Perhaps even ask them to teach you about the online platforms they use. For example, ask them if they can demonstrate how to best find information on YouTube. This also allows parents to get a better understanding of how the teen’s online world works.
Engaging in a non-critical way and having a clearer understanding of different apps and platforms can act as a starting point to more meaningful conversations about media literacy.