In her recently published book, The Amazing Generation, health science journalist Katherine Price speaks directly to children and teens, warning them about the dangers of excessive smartphone and social media use.
The book, co-authored with social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt, is divided into several parts, including comics and anecdotes about Gen Z limiting screen time.
According to Price, their aim is to “help children and adults live meaningful, fulfilling and joyful lives.” One of the best ways to do this is to engage in screen-free activities in the real world.
The Anxious Generation Movement encourages parents to take an active role in helping their children shift their focus from tablets and smartphones. Here, Price suggests two ways to get started.
Two ways parents can help keep kids away from screens
1. Brainstorm your responsibilities to them.
To start, Price recommends coming up with tasks that your child can do without you. It’s something they’ve never done before and can be a little scary.
Running your own errands, walking or biking to school or a friend’s house, and making your own breakfast or lunch are all examples Price gives in her book.
She added that giving young people responsibilities not only keeps them away from screens, but also has countless other benefits.
“Maybe it’ll boost their confidence, it’ll be fun, and it’ll probably give them skills they can use in the future,” Price said.
Research also shows that this type of activity can reduce anxiety in both children and parents, she says.
2. Help build a real hobby
Price recommends talking with your kids to learn more about what non-screen activities they prefer, then creating an environment that allows for those activities.
For younger children, she says it’s as simple as providing a cardboard box and art supplies and getting creative.
For older children, it can be more customized.
For example, Price’s coworker has three teenage boys and wanted her garage to be a fun place for them to hang out. This friend got some free weights off Craigslist and stocked his garage with snacks. “Now she has a group of teenage boys come to her garage every afternoon and lift weights,” Price said.
Even if it’s not at home, Price says parents can help kids find a third place to hang out, such as a community center, shopping mall or cafe.
Young people have a “developmentally appropriate desire to spend more time with friends in their private lives,” Price said. If parents can help create those opportunities without screens, there is no need to go back to screens.
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