On the Radar: Smartphones and Disordered Eating, Family Vlogging and ‘Touch Starvation’

Study Says Owning a Smartphone at Age 12 Can Increase Risk of Disordered Eating

What? According to a new study by the University of California at San Francisco, children who own a smartphone by age 12 may be at a higher risk of developing disordered eating habits. And girls with smartphones are three times more likely to worry about their weight by age 14.

So What? The study discovered that teens and tweens with smartphone are twice as likely to tie their self-worth to their weight—and it only takes two years to start seeing these symptoms. They were 67% more likely to develop binge-eating behaviors and 50% more likely to try “compensatory” methods—such as using diet pills or laxatives, vomiting or exercising excessively—to prevent weight gain.

Now What? This is perhaps unsurprising, given the amount of content on social media that deals with diet and exercise, as well as the number of influencers who exhibit these disordered eating habits themselves. So if your child owns a smartphone (or has regular access to one), be sure to block social media apps or influencers that might promote these behaviors. Additionally, start talking to your child about healthy food and exercise mindsets. Talk about how influencers and ads promote certain aesthetics to sell products. And be sure to address any self-esteem concerns, reassuring your child that their worth isn’t linked to a number on a scale.

New California Law Protects Children of Family Vloggers

What? Family vloggers are just what they sound like: influencers who become famous by posting videos of their families online. Several docuseries—as well as some of the children of these families—have revealed how detrimental this type of influencing can be on the child psyche. And a new California law aims to address that.

So What? Up until this point, kids of influencers haven’t had much say about how or when their image is posted by their parents. However, California Senate Bill No. 1247 allows those kids, once they become adults, to legally demand the removal of photos and videos if their parents made money off of them.

Now What? You should always be mindful, especially in the age of artificial intelligence, about posting your child’s picture online. Bad actors can use those images for nefarious purposes. But also, it’s important to set a good example regarding online privacy. We all know that once you post something online, it might be there forever. But this new law aims to put the power of privacy back in the hands of the people who were too young to speak out when the videos were first posted.

What Is ‘Touch Starvation’?

What? “Touch starvation,” also known as “skin hunger” or “touch deprivation,” happens when someone doesn’t receive enough physical affection, according to Parents. Studies suggest that people who experience touch starvation are more likely to report loneliness, depression, stress, anxiety disorders and more.

So What? Some ideas about masculinity—especially those perpetrated online—can result in young boys experiencing touch starvation. And research suggests that when boys don’t receive physical affection at home, they may seek it in inappropriate or even aggressive ways elsewhere, such as when boys punch each other in the arm or groin “for fun.”

Now What? You don’t have to buy into this narrative, though. Studies suggest that appropriate physical affection can actually lower the risk of depression and increase satisfaction in relationships later in life. So look for ways to comfortably express affection to your sons. Maybe it’s a hug, maybe it’s a hair tussle. But finding a way that works for your family can help your son develop healthy touch boundaries and flourish in his relationships with others.