On the Radar: Teens’ Internet Use, ‘Slop’ and No Phones for Preteens

Number of Teens Online ‘Almost Constantly’ Is Dropping

What? Roughly 40% of teens are online “almost constantly,” according to a new study by Pew Research Center. This is down from 46% in 2024.

So What? While those six percentage points may seem small, if you do the math, it means that more than a million U.S. teenagers have reduced their screen time this year.

Now What? Keep the screentime conversations going! If your teens are reaching for their phones less often, acknowledge and praise those efforts to cut back. If you’ve introduced “no phone zones” at home, keep up the good work. Screentime habits can be hard to break, but with discipline and determination, your family can be successful in creating an environment that isn’t so screen dependent.

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year Is ‘Slop’

What? According to Merriam-Webster, “slop” is defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence,” and it has been chosen as the dictionary’s Word of the Year.

So What? Thanks to AI, slop seemed to be everywhere this year—in our news, in commercials, in our social media feeds. But as Merriam-Webster puts it: “The word sends a little message to AI: when it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes you don’t seem too superintelligent.”

Now What? Parents will still want to keep an eye out for AI slop: If your children watch too many YouTube videos filled with AI slop, for instance, then they might find themselves victims of brain rot (Oxford Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year). And certainly, you want to be sure your kids are watching content more meaningful than that.

Study Says Smartphones Harm Preteens’ Health

What? A study published in Pediatrics (a publication by the American Academy of Pediatrics) found that 12-year-olds who own smartphones are at a higher risk for depression, obesity and insufficient sleep than children who don’t own those devices.

So What? The study says that once a child is given a phone, the odds of having mental health problems and insufficient sleep goes up.

Now What? If you’ve thought about getting your preteen a smartphone for Christmas, you’ll want to be aware of these associated risks. Set a “no phones in the bedroom” policy to help mitigate some of these effects. Enable screentime limits and parental controls to help you stay aware of how and how often your child is using their phone. And start having conversations with your child about safe and appropriate phone use now.