Tag: Technology and Mental Health

Tips for creating a family digital contract

When introducing electronics into a child’s life, appropriate device use doesn’t just happen. Kids need coaching and rules to understand how to use smartphones, tablets and computers in a healthy manner that works for you and your kids.

That’s where a digital contract comes in to help. It is an agreement between you and your child/children on what is considered appropriate electronic use in your home. Details will vary by family, but could include, for example, amount of time on the computer, iPad or iPhones, allowable Websites and apps, allowable locations for using devices.

Please read this guidance for creating a digital contract for your family in this story on BayState Parent.

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Is social media making kids sad?

Anxiety among kids is on the upswing – and is now the leading mental health issue among children in America. Why? In this article on BayState Parent, some medical and neurological experts note that social media use is stressing kids out and giving them an unrealistic view of the world. Near-constant device use is causing mental health issues for many, and making it more difficult to escape the very factors that give them anxiety.

Do you think social media is contributing to negative feelings among kids? How much access do your children have to social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat? Leave me a comment and let’s chat!

 

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Video game helps kids learn calming strategies

Got a kid who melts down easy and needs a little support with learning how to regulate emotions and react to stressful or difficult situations? A video game developed by a team of experts at Boston Children’s Hospital aims to help children learn emotional regulation through play.

Mightier, by Neuromotion Labs, is a gaming platform that allows kids to have fun and learn how to calm down with the use of a tablet, an app and a heart rate monitor.

Find out more about how it works in this month’s story on BayState Parent.com 

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Talking to kids about device use

Technology is a constant in many kids’ lives today, and that presents both gifts and challenges. We all want our kids to be healthy, stay active and refrain from too much device use. How can you engage in a conversation with your kids and get their attention?

Author Laurie Work says drop the nagging, and engage in a conversation about the risks of device overuse. Explain to them the “why” in the importance of getting space from devices.

Read more about Wolk’s advice for developing rules and roadmaps for device use in this BayState Parent article.

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