Navigating Social Media's Impact on Kids' Mental Health
What is the digital age doing to our kids' mental health?
In this engaging episode of the On a Mission Mojo podcast, host Lori Young converses with Kathy Van Benthuysen, a seasoned educator and president of Converlation, about the pervasive impact of digital devices and social media on modern-day life.
Kathy highlights the growing issue of decreased face-to-face interaction due to the constant presence of devices and social media in young people's lives. She elaborates on the societal pressures and unrealistic expectations that digital platforms propagate, often leading to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression among today's youth.
The episode provides valuable strategies for parents to foster resilience and confidence in their children, emphasizing the importance of real-world engagement and thoughtful device usage. Kathy's mission is clear: to inspire informed conversations and stronger relationships within families as they navigate this digital era.
Key Takeaways:
Digital Challenges for Youth: Kathy discusses the significant impact social media and devices have on young people's mental health and social skills.
Importance of Real Connection: The need for encouraging children to engage more in real-life interactions as opposed to online engagements.
Role of Parents: Parents should model limited device use, set boundaries, and foster environments for authentic connection.
Building Resilience: Encouraging children to overcome challenges independently helps build resilience and enhances self-esteem.
Converlation's Mission: Providing resources and programs for families and schools to support youth in navigating digital challenges.
Quotes:
"Tech isn't bad. It's not bad. It's how we use it that impacts us."
"Parents can build the confidence of their kids and it starts young."
"We want to equip parents and empower kids so that they can be mentally strong and thrive in this digital age."
"Your confidence, a kid's confidence and self-esteem doesn't come from us saying, you get a trophy for participating."
"It's okay to be frustrated. It's okay to not be good at something right away, but you'll learn and I'm here to support you."
About the Guest:
Kathy Van Benthuysen is an experienced educator, author, and co-founder and president of Converlation. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Kathy has dedicated her career to equipping and empowering both parents and children to thrive in the digital age. She is passionate about fostering resilience and mental strength in kids amidst the challenges posed by social media and digital devices. Converlation, the organization she co-founded, aims to support schools and families in mitigating the adverse effects of excessive tech use among children.
Website: www.Converlation.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-van-benthuysen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Converlation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/converlate
Connect with Lori (Your Host):
Lori Young is a certified online business manager, master marketer, and host of the podcast On a Mission Mojo. As the heart-centered founder of On a Mission Brands, Lori is passionate about helping ambitious changemakers scale their business online with strategic business, marketing and operational support. As their strategic biz bestie, her clients enjoy her relationship-focused and business-minded approach to growth. Lori is passionate about her team and leads a collaborative effort that helps everyone have fun while making a big impact. In her spare time, she is spending time with family & friends, watching the latest TV series with her spouse, or trying to master the game of golf - literally impossible.
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Episode Summary:
The Digital Disconnect: How Devices Overwhelm Social Interactions
In our hyper-connected world, it's easy to overlook how our ever-present devices alter our relational dynamics. Lori Young and Cathy Van Benthuysen, in a reflective discussion on the On a Mission Mojo podcast, unwrap the profound effects devices have on social engagement, particularly in younger generations. Cathy, a seasoned educator and co-founder of Converlation, shares, "We've normalized having our heads down, looking at devices. Kids could look you in the eye, have a conversation, and engage."
There's a stark contrast between previous decades, where face-to-face interaction was the norm, and today, where screens often mediate our exchanges. The digital world's allure lies in its constant stimulation and the immediate gratification of likes and shares. Cathy highlights an often unnoticed threat: "Attention engineers hired by tech companies track and manipulate our experience." These behind-the-scenes algorithms are not just harmless tools; they shape and, to some extent, control our focus and self-perception.
Our immersion in a world dominated by screens impacts how we think and feel about ourselves, challenging our capacity for empathy and leading to a decline in mental well-being. Highlighting the consequences of these digital dependencies helps illuminate the path towards healthier interactions, both online and offline.
The Parent's Role: Fostering Resilience and Confidence
The podcast digs into parenting's critical role in mitigating these digital effects, emphasizing the importance of nurturing resilience and self-esteem in children. Cathy underscores this, sharing stories from her time as a teacher and observations from her own family: "Confidence in kids is built when they successfully complete tasks... when they have done something."
Parenting strategies hinge on encouraging safe exploration and responsibility early on. This nurtures capability and confidence, empowering children to face life's inevitable challenges. This approach departs significantly from the pervasive 'helicopter parenting' phenomenon, where parents, with good intentions, inadvertently stifle their children's growth by clearing obstacles from their paths.
Lori stresses the importance of encouraging children to think critically and solve their problems, citing her interactions with her son: "What do you think you should do? That sounds like a great plan." Such conversations not only build individual problem-solving skills but also foster a sense of agency and self-worth. By stepping back and allowing children to navigate difficulties, parents can cultivate a generation equipped to thrive amidst life's complexities.
Cultivating Meaningful Connections in a Tech-Saturated World
The digital age challenges us to find meaningful ways to connect beyond the screen. For Cathy and Lori, setting specific boundaries around technology use in family settings emerges as a powerful strategy for strengthening relationships. Cathy advocates for establishing tech-free zones and times, stating, "There are no devices at meals... we're not having devices out."
This shift toward intentional engagement reinforces connection and communication within families—a crucial buffer in today's high-pressure environments. Young children benefit from the assurance that comes with undivided attention, while older kids gain from nuanced conversations that hone their social skills and empathy.
Such practices serve as a counterweight to the isolation and superficiality endemic in digital interactions. They demonstrate, by example, how to prioritize real-world relationships over screen time, helping families navigate the digital landscape with both discipline and compassion.
Reflecting on Change
The exploration of device dependency, resilience-building, and intentional connection offers profound insights into managing the impact of technology on our lives. The conversations with Cathy serve as a reminder of the power parents possess to shape their children's perceptions and interactions with their digital environments.
Recognizing technology's dual nature—as both a valuable tool and a potential trap—equips families to make informed decisions. By prioritizing face-to-face time, encouraging self-reliance, and maintaining vigilant awareness of digital consumption, we can create healthier, more connected domestic landscapes. Through these strategies, families can reclaim the joy and depth of human interaction, fostering environments where children are poised to succeed, not just in spite of technology, but alongside it.
