Diana Graber鈥檚 eldest daughter was in eighth grade in 2010 when her school had its first cyberbullying incident. It was nothing major鈥攋ust some kids being mean to each other on Facebook. But to Graber, who had recently finished a master鈥檚 degree in media psychology and social change, it was a missed opportunity for a teachable moment. So she started visiting her younger daughter鈥檚 sixth-grade class to talk about digital citizenship. Two things became clear to her. First, middle schoolers are woefully unprepared for the addictive nature of smartphones and the complex ethics of social media. Second, with guidance, kids can grow into healthy users of devices and have a positive influence on virtual communities.
Intervention is desperately needed. Surveys show that teens, whose developing brains make them more susceptible to addiction, spend an average of around four hours a day on connected devices鈥攏ot including schoolwork鈥攑lus another two or three hours watching TV. In one Korean study, tech-addicted teen participants had higher rates of anxiety, depression, impulse-control problems, and sleep disorders. But snatching the phones from our teens鈥 hands isn鈥檛 the answer. Graber points to research suggesting that kids with no access to digital media suffer from some of the same negative impacts on their mental well-being as hyperactive device users鈥斺渂ecause they lack that connection with their peers,鈥 she says. Thus, she advocates for a modest digital diet, but only after a child has the requisite education. 鈥淜ids really need adults to on-ramp them into this world,鈥 she says.
Since her experience with her daughter鈥檚 class, Graber has developed a three-year curriculum called that has been implemented by schools in 41 states. It explores issues like cyberbullying, digital privacy, and sexting. Teachers guide students through social-media scenarios and have them analyze the 50-page terms-of-service agreements for popular apps. For parents, her website Cyberwise provides courses and educational resources. We asked her for the CliffsNotes on a few key topics.
Step 1: Start Slow
It鈥檚 much easier to teach your tween about smartphone use if they reach middle school with a healthy digital diet. The American Academy of Pediatrics for kids before 18 months, just an hour a day until age five, and consistent limits for kids over six. Need to be in touch with your nine-year-old about carpooling? Give them an old-school flip phone.
Step 2: School Yourself
If you鈥檙e going to be a reliable digital guide, you need to know the terrain. This means trying out ubiquitous mobile games like Minecraft and joining platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and Musical.ly鈥攖hen spending the time to understand their capabilities and allure. This will also set you up to friend or follow your child.
Step 3: Set Ground Rules
When you鈥檙e ready to give a kid their first device, establish how many hours a day they can use it (with a maximum of two hours), when they can use it (after homework and chores), and which apps are off-limits (any that facilitate chats with strangers). Tell them you鈥檒l have the passwords to the phone and any e-mail or social accounts. Establishing these guardrails up front helps prevent heated arguments later.
Step 4: Delay Social Media
Users must be at least 13 years old to legally use most social platforms鈥攚ith good reason. 鈥淪ocial media requires ethical thinking,鈥 Graber says. 鈥溾夆楧o I upload a photo that will hurt someone鈥檚 feelings?鈥 A child鈥檚 brain isn鈥檛 ready to make that kind of decision before their teen years.鈥 Once your kid begins engaging with social media, monitor their activity and talk with them if they post something that makes you uncomfortable. The dialogue will reveal how mature a cybercitizen your child has become.
Step 5: Model Good Behavior
Don鈥檛 bring your phone to the dinner table. Keep it in your pocket during conversations. Silence it when you鈥檙e in the woods. Show your children that you can control when and how you engage with your device.