Social media has become the biggest addiction and destroying the lives of children and adults. Distracting and destroying relationships, destroying lives, and influencing a generation away from critical thinking.
The next generation is the Alphas. Children who were born approximately 14 years ago to those being born today. If we want to save them, and maybe society itself, we need to take thoughtful action around media use and exposure to trends that come and go.
We need to regularly turn off our electronics and spend time with people face to face building relationships and making family a priority.
Remove or reduce electronic device use in their daily life and provide supervision. Very young children should have limited or no device use, as it takes them away from exploring, and learning about the world around them. This is an essential task for future learning and emotional health.
We used to say “Do you know where your children are?” Today it’s “Do you know what your child is watching.
If you allow children to sequester in their room alone they may view media that could confuse or adversely influence them. Showing them things that are inappropriate for their age, violence, and ideas about relationships that may influence harmful choices.
Have a place where children can put their devices when they could be doing something else: playing outside, reading a book, spending time with friends and family, having family dinners and family game nights, doing chores around the home, or doing homework.
Remove devices, especially at bedtime, so children are sleeping and not staying up late scrolling on their phones or other devices.
- Be an example and try to break your own media addiction. Don’t let your children watch movies or media that are not developmentally appropriate for their age. If they are in the room, they absorb and pay attention no matter how young they are.
- Know where your children are, who they are with, and what they are up to. Meet their friends and, if possible, their friends’ families.
- Children under 14 will find trouble if they are allowed to wander the neighborhood streets without a legitimate purpose. Putting this in place when they are young will keep them safer as they grow into their teen years and become more mobile.
- Spend time with your child. Talk with them, not at them. Find out what they are thinking about and help them sort through complicated issues.
If we as family and educators become intentional about the successful adult life a child could have, we may be able to save this generation from the choices and lifestyles they are being exposed to today.