Experts say now is the time to talk with teens about cell phone use as classroom bans take effect.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Mental health experts say now may be the perfect time for parents to talk to their kids about their cell phone habits. A new cell phone ban in public school classrooms takes effect statewide.
“You can start that conversation of, ‘Hey, I heard about this. What do you think about it?’” said Sarah Grado of NotMyKid.Org, a teen addiction nonprofit in Scottsdale. “And really listen to what they have to say.”
Grado said parents can use the opportunity to invite their kids to talk about the impact of cellphones and social media on their mood and mental health. The school ban is likely to help many teens realize their dependence on phones.
Withdrawals similar to drugs
“When we see teens get their cell phone taken away, they go through withdrawals, and they have that same sort of panic similar to an addiction,” Grado said.
The nonprofit treats about 400 Arizona kids each year through counseling and drug treatment while also contacting tens of thousands more teens through education. Although cell phone addiction is not an actual medical diagnosis, Grado says the impact to behavior is similar because social media elicits brain chemicals similar to substances.
Symptoms of withdrawal include irritability, difficulty concentrating and sleep problems.
“It does feel like an uphill battle, and it can seem like there’s a lot out there that we have to protect our kids around,” Grado said. “But we are having success. They are aware and they want help themselves, and so it’s about empowering them and really listening to them about what they need.”
Dangerous Apps for Kids
The media watchdog Common Sense Media reviews age-appropriate phone apps for kids and the American Society for Positive Care for Children identifies “The 10 Most Dangerous Apps for Kids.” It includes common apps like Roblox because they may expose kids to interactions with strangers. The list also includes apps like Yubo and Whisper, which are considered more overtly risky.
Four Tips for Cell Phone Use
Not My Kid gives four tips for parents regarding cell phone use.
- “Wait Till 8th” Don’t allow kids to have a phone of any kind until at least 8th grade.
- Purchase a “dumb phone” with no internet connection as the child’s first phone.
- Once parents purchase a smartphone for their teen, install a monitoring app that tracks the teen’s texts and social media activity.
- Have “phone free zones” in the home.
“We should also remember the importance of being an example. We want to model the behavior we want our teens to do,” Grado said.
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