Yesterday, our kids were dressing up in princess costumes and tracking mud into the house. Today, they’re standing in front of mirrors taking selfies or spending hours in darkened rooms playing video games. They’re lost in an adult virtual world. As a result, kids have become more stressed, anxious and depressed and experts agree that we are in the midst of a teen mental health crisis.
How did we get here?
The persuasive design elements of screen entertainment have made it nearly impossible for children to put down their devices, let alone limit their use. Big tech has outsmarted parents, too, convincing them that these leisure activities are necessary for modern life. They’re not.
Parents are caught in the middle of a societal dilemma. We don’t want our kids to be seen as outsiders because they don’t have the latest gadgets, yet we have a responsibility to protect them from their devices. Exhausted parents are giving in. Feeling powerless, they hand over games and phones to their kids without knowing they have a choice.
Education is the first step.
Like a smart coach, parents must step back, evaluate the situation and create a new game plan. It all begins…
