On the Radar: January 13, 2024

97% of Kids Use Their Phones During School Hours

What? Ninety-seven percent of kids between the ages of 11 and 17 use their smartphones while at school, says new research from Common Sense Media. More than three quarters of that usage was for social media, gaming or streaming videos, not schoolwork. And more than half of the participants from the same study reported using their smartphones between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. on school nights.

So What? Another study published by JAMA Network Open revealed that parents of adolescents are now more concerned about internet addiction than substance addiction. And despite research showing that social media addiction has many of the same effects as substance abuse, the Pew Research Center’s annual “Teens, Social Media and Technology” study showed that teens who are online “almost constantly” (roughly 46%) has nearly doubled since 2015.

Now What? As parents, it’s more important than ever to talk to your teens about their internet usage and the effect it has on them. Challenge them to monitor how often they pick up their phones so they can learn to make healthier choices on their own. And ask questions about why they get online and how they feel when they do.

Teens Want Less Sex in Television

What? A new study from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers found that more than half of Gen Z’s members (those born between 1997 and 2012) surveyed wanted to see more entertainment content focused on friendships rather than sex and romance.

So What? Study authors Hiral Kotecha and Stephanie Rivas-Lara wrote that the desire for more portrayals of platonic friendships stems, in part, from the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” as declared by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy early this year. Tweens and teens want to build friendships and communities. And explicit content in shows and movies inhibits the ability to socialize, since several respondents reported feeling “uncomfortable” or “awkward” when viewing such content with friends.

Now What? It can be difficult, even awkward, to explain to your tween or teen what a healthy relationship (romantic or otherwise) looks like. But asking how they feel about the relationships they see on screen can be a meaningful way to approach that topic. More importantly, allowing your children to express their thoughts on a fictional relationship may better equip them to honestly express their feelings in their own relationships (platonic and otherwise).

Gen Z Members Still Want to Be Influencers

What? Members of Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, continue to be infatuated with the idea of being a social media influencer, despite many recent scandals and negative publicity. Morning Consult reports that 57% would choose to be an influencer if given the opportunity.

So What? Despite controversies involving influencers, as well as a steady stream of scientific data suggesting that social media is harmful to tweens and teens on multiple levels, the allure of becoming “internet famous” remains for roughly 3 out of 5 kids today.

Now What? As parents, it’s critical for us to talk about the appeal of social media fame, paired with realistic conversations about how hard it is to achieve and maintain. On a deeper level, it also means understanding your tween or teen’s desire to be seen and affirmed.

For more information on the realities of being an influencer, check out our interview with former YouTube star Andrew Armstrong on The Plugged In Show.