On the Radar: Teens Feel ‘Happy’ Without Phones, the Impending TikTok Ban, and ‘Cop-Baiting’

Most Teens Feel “Peaceful” Without Their Smartphones

What? Although nearly half of teens say they use the internet “almost constantly,” a new study by Pew Research shows that 72-74% of teens report feeling “happy” or “peaceful” when they don’t have their smartphone.

So What? Roughly 40% of teens have made efforts to cut back on their social media time, and about 36% have cut back on screen time in general.

Now What? Even though most teens (70%) still think that the benefits of smartphones outweigh the negatives, the fact that some are trying to reduce their usage bodes well for anxious parents, 76% of whom say that managing their teens’ screen time is important to them.

A Bill to Ban TikTok Passed in the House of Representatives

What? Due to propaganda and security concerns, United States House of Representatives has voted to ban TikTok unless Chinese-owned Bytedance (TikTok’s parent company) “divests from the app entirely.” The bill has enjoyed rare bipartisan support.

So What? Although the bill wouldn’t technically ban TikTok, it would require Bytedance to sell the app to a non-Chinese company within six months (or else TikTok will be blocked from American app stores). Nevertheless, many influencers and businesses who have benefitted from the app are lobbying to prevent the bill from passing in the Senate. And TikTok itself issued a warning to American users last week urging them to call their representatives about the bill. President Biden has said that he will sign the bill if it passes.

Now What? There’s quite a bit of controversy surrounding this bill, with many opposers stating free speech concerns. And it comes amid a flood of legislative actions cracking down on the negative effects of social media. But as parents, this is an excellent teaching opportunity. Nearly 63% of teens use TikTok, so there’s a good chance that they’ll care more about this bill than most legislation. But instead of letting your kids get swept up in the emotional wave pouring forth from TikTok and other social media platforms, take some time to help them research the bill in question. Talk about the pros and cons together. And, if appropriate, contact your representative or senator for more information.

What Is “Cop-Baiting”?

What? “Cop-baiting” is a tactic commonly seen at protests wherein an individual films a law enforcement officer and “intentionally create[s] confrontational situations to provoke a response,” says The London Free Press.

So What? Research published by Western University criminologists Laura Huey and Lorna Ferguson found that some officers who experience this type of “sousveillance” (the recording of a member of the public’s activities) are later doxed, “a harassment technique where someone’s personal information is posted on the internet.”

Now What? If you hear your kids throwing around the term “cop-baiting,” you obviously may want to intervene and find out what’s going on. But you should also talk to your kids about doxing—about the psychological distress it can have on the victim or even the physical dangers presented when someone’s home address is posted online. Given our often-overheated social media environment, combined with increasing cultural polarization on social issues, talking to our kids about the ethics of issues like cop-baiting can help to shape their moral compass as they mature.