By: Laura DiPietro, PT, DPT
It all started with a conversation with a fellow mom. As we reminisced about receiving our first cell phones in our early 20s, we spoke of our concerns of having daughters who will grow up in the era of having technology in their pocket. Our concerns were numerous but mainly centered around our children’s mental health and wellness. Our daughters met when they were 3 years old and at 7-years old during figure skating practice, we discussed wanting to do SOMETHING, wanting to shift the narrative of kids receiving phones earlier & earlier and instead inform people of the benefits in delaying. During our conversation, my friend introduced me to an organization that’s purpose is to encourage parents to “wait until 8th” grade to give their child a smartphone. She explained to me it was a way to create unity within a community, a way to find like-minded neighbors and friends that were also looking to delay giving their child a smartphone. I thought this was a brilliant idea as we were beginning to navigate the world of children/teens and technology. We agreed to send a letter to as many people as possible in our elementary school to get the ball rolling. This resulted in the formation of the Wait Until 8th Peninsula chapter.
The topic of delaying cell phones (specifically smartphones) for our youth is at the forefront of many conversations among parents and caregivers right now due to current research regarding mental health outcomes, addiction problems and brain development changes seen with increased screen time. There are many downsides to giving a child or young teen a smartphone. Addiction can lead to behavioral issues as caregivers try to limit or put restrictions on screen time. Social implications can lead to less socialization with peers and less time playing in the real world; including how to actively resolve conflict and/or work together with other individuals. There are risks of cyber bullying and increased disciplinary action in school. Research indicates that children’s brain development and structures are being altered due to prolonged screen time. There are also direct physical symptoms as well including digital eye strain and neck pain from focusing on a phone or screen for too long. Poor sleep patterns and disruption in melatonin production is another negative effect due to blue light emitted from smartphones. Lastly, there is reduced attention span and increased distractability noted with increased screen time, especially in school.
There are numerous benefits to delaying smartphones for our children and young teens. It has been found that children show greater emotional resilience and better ability to regulate mood with limited screen time and delayed onset of smartphone use. Anxiety and depression are less prevalent when smartphones are delayed. Reducing exposure to social media, which tends to be extremely addictive and leads to insecurity & anxiety, is a benefit to delaying. By delaying giving kids smartphones they are able to have more real world experiences including more physical activity, more time for hobbies and stronger social skills due to engaging in real face-to-face interactions and relationships with their peers.
An eye-opening book that has been widely discussed in recent months is Jonathon Haidt’s The Anxious Generation which highlights research about the negative effects of smartphone usage and mental health among our youth. He introduces “four norms” that we should be focusing on for our children: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools and more independence, free play and responsibility in the real world.
In addition to encouraging parents and caregivers to read The Anxious Generation and join our local Wait Until 8th chapter, this fall we will be getting involved with The Balance Project which originated in Little Silver. They are working to shift community norms holistically so that no one has to do this “alone”. Their goal is to help families and communities find and maintain a balance of real world experiences and technology. In the community the goal is to provide POV on age-appropriate real-life experiences and technology usage. They are providing tech alternatives, ways to support independence and enact change “on the ground” in partnership with parents and community leaders. They are also helping to accelerate discussions with schools around personal device-free environments, ed-tech, recreational time and ensuring the parent voice is considered in this critical, ever-evolving topic.
Technology is everywhere, is ever-changing and ever-present. It is important for not only children and young adults to have a healthy relationship with technology but all of us. It is imperative that as parents and caregivers, we demonstrate a mindful, healthy relationship with technology and smartphone use. In delaying giving our kids smartphones at a young age, we are enabling their brains to fully develop, therefore they will exhibit greater self-control and improved ability to develop boundaries with technology.
Laura DiPietro is a physical therapist and mom to two daughters. Laura is passionate about being involved in her community through her children’s school, recreational sports programs and her church. In her free time you will find her reading a book or working out.
Please join us or get involved at Wait Until 8th:
https://www.waituntil8th.org/
Please join us or get involved at Tha Balance Project at:
https://www.thebalanceproject.life/
