The ding of incoming texts on your kid’s phone is more than an annoyance and distraction. It could actually be a sign of compulsive or addictive behavior. Here are a few indicators of compulsive texting from a study published in the October 2015 issue of the Psychology of Popular Media Culture:
The study examined the texting habits of 400 8th and 11th graders and the impact of those behaviors on academic performance. Compulsive texting is defined by more than just sending a large number of texts. It also includes trying to decrease texting without success, defensiveness about use of texting and frustration when unable to text.
As Kelly M. Lister-Landman, the paper’s lead author and an assistant professor of psychology at Delaware County Community College in Media, PA commented in a New York Times article,
“What is [texters’] relationship with phone use? Do they feel anxious when it’s not around them? When they sit down to eat dinner with their family, do they feel a need to check it? Do they feel compelled to look at it at all times, rather than just answering texts they get?”
Parents of girls should pay particular attention to this issue as compulsive texting has more negative academic consequences for adolescent girls, despite the fact that their overall academic functioning is higher than adolescent boys. The study notes that texting may create more anxiety and social distress for girls than boys and that the content of girls’ texts may be more distracting, thus leading to texting’s greater impact on their academic performance.
The study recommends that parents put the following safeguards in place:
This is where a contract with your kid can be a great tool. Click here for Screenager’s contracts.
http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/ppm-ppm0000100.pdf
Here is a video from the Screenagers YouTube Channel that talks more about this subject
The ding of incoming texts on your kid’s phone is more than an annoyance and distraction. It could actually be a sign of compulsive or addictive behavior. Here are a few indicators of compulsive texting from a study published in the October 2015 issue of the Psychology of Popular Media Culture:
The study examined the texting habits of 400 8th and 11th graders and the impact of those behaviors on academic performance. Compulsive texting is defined by more than just sending a large number of texts. It also includes trying to decrease texting without success, defensiveness about use of texting and frustration when unable to text.
As Kelly M. Lister-Landman, the paper’s lead author and an assistant professor of psychology at Delaware County Community College in Media, PA commented in a New York Times article,
“What is [texters’] relationship with phone use? Do they feel anxious when it’s not around them? When they sit down to eat dinner with their family, do they feel a need to check it? Do they feel compelled to look at it at all times, rather than just answering texts they get?”
Parents of girls should pay particular attention to this issue as compulsive texting has more negative academic consequences for adolescent girls, despite the fact that their overall academic functioning is higher than adolescent boys. The study notes that texting may create more anxiety and social distress for girls than boys and that the content of girls’ texts may be more distracting, thus leading to texting’s greater impact on their academic performance.
The study recommends that parents put the following safeguards in place:
This is where a contract with your kid can be a great tool. Click here for Screenager’s contracts.
http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/ppm-ppm0000100.pdf
Here is a video from the Screenagers YouTube Channel that talks more about this subject
I decided to re-visit this blog from the archives because our last podcast on how to have healthier parent-child conflicts was so popular, that I wanted to provide more help on this same topic. Here, I focus on the powerful parenting approach called the nurtured heart approach. Complimenting this blog, we posted a wonderful podcast episode from our archive that also examines this approach and provides many concrete action steps.
READ MORE >
The current surge in conversation and scrutiny concerning the impact of screen time on youth mental wellbeing, catalyzed by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt's media tour for his new book, "Anxious Generation," is truly fantastic. This increased dialogue is crucial for understanding screen time risks and determining the best ways to support our children's mental health. Let’s not let this attention for the need for solutions die down! In today’s blog, I weigh in on four key points Haidt makes to keep the momentum in full swing.
READ MORE >
Snapchat has some pitfalls. I talked to two young adults about things to be aware of when using the app, including exposure to illicit content, the pressure of Snap Scores, and ads for platforms like OnlyFans. I also offer advice on how to help your teen manage their Snapchat usage.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
