A Call to Action: Combatting the Phone Addiction Crisis Among Adults and Children with Professor Selena Bartlett
In a recent De-Stress for Success podcast episode (episode 5), globally recognised neuroscientist, Professor Selena Bartlett, joined me for a profound conversation about our relationship with mobile technology. The topic is of great importance in this tech-saturated era, especially when considering the influence these devices have on our brain health, stress levels and interpersonal relationships.
Our phones are like mini poke machines. They have been designed to be addictive, tapping into old circuits in our brains to train us to stay hooked. The impact is so significant that people often prefer to be with their phones than with other people. This device-induced addiction has a profound effect on our stress levels and our ability to be present. By understanding the neuroscience behind these patterns, we can better navigate our relationship with technology and mitigate its negative impacts.
Unfortunately, the consequences of our technology obsession don’t stop at adults. Our children mimic what we do but have taken their use of mobile technology to a whole new level. A pressing concern highlighted in our conversation with Professor Bartlett is the current mental health crisis among young people, significantly influenced by technology. Today, children as young as four are immersed in tech, exposed to third-party apps that parents naively believe are safe. Crime networks are exploiting our children online, and our reliance on parental controls and screen time restrictions is not enough.
In response to these alarming realities, Professor Bartlett emphasises the need for a fresh approach to parenting in this tech-saturated era. Socratic Parenting Skills, she suggests, can be instrumental in initiating meaningful dialogues with our children about their tech use. Understanding the signs of grooming and having a carefully crafted Tech Family Plan can act as a protective shield for our kids.
The situation calls for immediate action. The mental health of all of us, including our children is at stake, and it’s essential to impart to them that our love for them is infinitely more significant than any technological device. We must reshuffle our priorities and not only shield our children from the darker aspects of the digital world but also future addiction. Tech use impacts not only their ability to focus and stay connected but it negatively impacts their relationships, body image, hormones and ability to connect with others well into the future.
Professor Bartlett’s insights are not only enlightening but also alarming. The tech addiction crisis among children is already having an impact. As parents, we need to regain control and create safe digital environments for our children. This call to action is not just about ensuring online safety but also about preserving our children’s mental health and ensuring their holistic development in a tech-saturated world.
This eye-opening conversation with Professor Bartlett is a reminder that as parents, our responsibility goes beyond providing for our children’s basic needs. In the digital age, we must also become their protectors, educators, and guides in navigating the complex digital world.
But more importantly, we need to lead by example, put our phones down, hide them in the top drawer, keep them out of our bedrooms, away from the dinner table and commit to a Family Tech Plan. We need to buy into real change around our use of our devises too.
