If you wouldn’t give your kids cigarettes, please read further!
Key Insights from The Anxious Generation
- Social Comparison: The digital age encourages constant comparisons. Children and teens often measure their worth against the filtered lives of their peers, leading to increased anxiety and self-doubt.
- Sleep Disruption: The blue light emitted by screens disrupts sleep patterns, which are vital for emotional regulation and cognitive function. A lack of quality sleep can exacerbate mental health issues.
- Reduced Resilience: With the prevalence of online bullying and the pressure to maintain a perfect online persona, many young people are experiencing diminished resilience in the face of challenges.
- Parental Influence: Haidt emphasizes the crucial role parents play in setting boundaries around technology use. The right guidance can help foster a healthier relationship with devices.
“I was 10 years old when I watched porn for the first time. I found myself on PornHub, which I stumbled across by accident and returned to out of curiosity. The website has no age verification, no ID requirement, not even a prompt asking me if I was over 18. This site is easy to find, impossible to avoid, and has become a frequent right of passage for kids my age. Where was my mother? In the next room, making sure I was eating nine differently colored fruits and vegetables on the daily. She was attentive, nearly a helicopter parent, but I found online porn anyway. So did my friends.”
Jonathan Haidt – The Anxious Generation
A Call to Action: The Wait Until 8th Pledge
Recognizing these challenges, we urge all CBA parents to consider signing the Wait Until 8th pledge. This initiative encourages families to postpone giving their children smartphones until AT LEAST 8th grade (Nate says wait until 18 for smart phones!!). By making this commitment, we can:
- Promote healthier development: Delay smartphone ownership can lead to better social skills and emotional well-being.
- Encourage face-to-face interactions: Fostering personal connections helps build resilience and confidence.
- Reduce anxiety: Limiting access to social media can diminish the pressures associated with constant online presence.
By signing the Wait Until 8th pledge, parents can join a growing movement dedicated to prioritizing the mental health of our children.
Conclusion
As we navigate this digital landscape, let’s commit to making informed choices that prioritize our children’s well-being. Together, we can create an environment at CBA that nurtures resilience, connection, and community. Join us in this vital effort—sign the pledge today and help shape a healthier future for our kids!
To watch the entire CBA Parent Connect click here.
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