Technology has become increasingly involved in our lives. We wake up and check our phones or perhaps watch some shows before bed. However, for the younger generation this is becoming a problem.
According to studies, on average in the UK, a Generation Z individual will spend 10.5 hours a day online (source: https://thrivemyway.com/gen-z-marketing-stats/). When we think about a day being 24 hours long, almost half of this is spent on a piece of technology, a virtual world. Over the course of a year, this is almost 4000 hours spent online!
Furthermore, only around 28% of teenagers use the internet to learn new things (source: https://thrivemyway.com/gen-z-marketing-stats/). When modern computers and technologies were first invented in the 80’s they opened a scope of possibilities of work and education, having surpassed our expectations. So, if our teenagers are not learning can they really be spending all that time on social media?
The short answer is yes.
Popular social media’s such as Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok where teens rely on like after like, comment after comment can often be the greatest danger. Relying on such technologies can lead young people into an endless spiral. Sure, we all like to check socials now and again but should there be a limit?
Only four years ago Apple introduced screentime. What is something that would cause kids globally to groan, transformed the way we can monitor how our kids use technology. Simply go to settings, click screentime, and voila! You can see the apps you have used and the hours of usage during the day and even the week. With screentime we confront how much time we have spent on our phones.
The other benefit of this new feature is time limit. Now the time we spend on certain apps can be limited and allow us to put down our phones.
So what solutions are there to get the younger generation to put down their phones?
- Encourage them to go outside
As the summer sun’s heat is blaring, it’s the perfect opportunity to get them outside. Whether on a bike or just sunbathing outside.
- Try setting up Screentime
Have a talk with your kid and see how they’d feel about limiting the usage of some apps or having their phone shut off at certain time.
- Give your child chores or jobs around the house
Not only will this keep your kid busy and off their tech, but they can be productive and help whilst learning valuable life skills. Sounds like a win-win, right?
- Spend time with them
Often kids turn to their phones as a form of distraction or to keep themselves occupied so go sit down and watch a show with them or play with their latest remote-control car.
- Encourage them to get a summer job
If your young person is old enough encourage them to get a summer job. Now not only will they be able to work hard and earn valuable life skills but get off those pesky screens. Here at Outsourced I was lucky to get the opportunity to work with such a friendly and hard-working team.
Written by Jasmine Williams