Strategies for Guardians: Guidance for Navigating Parenthood Challenges
Cellphones and Screens: A Forewarned Parent is a Prepared Parent
Let's discuss the ominous presence of cellphones and screens in our children's lives, a topic that's as timely as it is crucial. In their recently published book, "Screens and Our Children," psychoeducator Sarah Hamel and speech-language pathologist Julie Parent lay bare the effects of screens on kids aged 0 to 18. With a light, relatable touch, they offer pragmatic advice to change families' digital habits for the better. Let's dive in!
Véronique Larocque, our site: The first part of your book focuses on the impacts of screens on children's development. In a nutshell, what are the main findings?
Julie Parent: The research is clear - screen exposure, frequency, and intensity all impact language, communication, and parent-child relationships. Screens isolate kids, limiting face-to-face interactions.
Sarah Hamel: We discuss what nurtures optimal child development. Screens take up valuable time, dwindling the time for free play. With less free play, children's development suffers.
J.P.: Books and reading pleasure are dwindling too, which can stifle intellectual potential. We yearn to give our children back quality time for enriching pastimes.
Do you view the cellphone ban in schools positively?
S.H.: Absolutely! While our book embraces harm reduction, not abstinence, we believe it's challenging to cultivate healthy habits without exposure. Teens can indeed benefit from screens. However, for healthy habits to develop, there needs to be a framing, which isn't feasible at school. Supervision can't control screen use during breaks or meal periods, so we must protect our kids' brains. Adolescents often don't have the maturity to make the right choices.
J.P.: Even with maturity, we struggle to self-regulate as adults. Despite the addictive nature of cellphones!
How should families adjust their screen habits at home?
S.H: We advocate a gradual approach. We don't advocate for reckless abandon. We offer various solutions, such as selecting content that's less overwhelming for the brain. By doing so, we minimize the harm.
J.P.: Self-examination is vital. What's our own relationship with this object? Children learn through imitation. Parents' screen use affects their children's habits.
What's the technique called emotional weather forecasting?
S.H.: This technique applies to diverse situations. Parents typically tell their children what's happening next – "In five minutes, we're turning off the TV." I encourage parents to predict their child's emotional response: "This might make you sad." It's like administering an emotional vaccine. Preparing children for the emotions they may experience allows them to manage them more effectively.
The research on screen time is alarming. Why is it confronting for parents?
J. P. : Guilt and anxiety are common reactions, as we desire something different – a life that aligns with our values. Our book guides parents to discover their own formula, addressing their concerns with tailored advice and questions.
Screen Time and Our Children
Sarah Hamel and Julie Parent
Saint-Jean Publisher
200 pages
For more insights, check out "Little Curious, Big Screens" and "Growing Up Without Screens," two other recently published books exploring the impacts of technology on children's development.
- By acknowledging the negative effects of screens, such as isolation and reduced free play, parents can choose to implement a gradual adjustment of screen habits at home, prioritizing content that is less overwhelming for the brain and minimizing harm to children's emotional and mental health.
- It's important for parents to recognize the influence of their own screen use on their children's habits. Self-examination can help them adjust their lifestyle and model healthy digital habits for their children.
- In their recently published book, "Screens and Our Children," authors Sarah Hamel and Julie Parent emphasize the importance of mental health in the context of screen time. They suggest emotional weather forecasting as a technique to prepare children for the potential emotional responses to screen time, allowing them to manage their emotions more effectively.
