Why Banning Screen Time is Not Enough
By Chloe Kim
As a teen learning to navigate the online world, I’m often surrounded by messages about how to quit social media. Between internet self-help gurus, teachers, and social media influencers themselves, I’m regularly told about the host of benefits explaining why I should ditch my screens: improved self-esteem, less social comparison, improved attention span, et cetera.
Of course, regulating time spent online is not a bad idea, and quitting social media altogether may work for some people. That said, as a young person who’s been on the receiving end of many of these talks, the disproportionate emphasis on restricting screen time has often interfered with the opportunity to learn about what truly healthy social media engagement is. Tips that may seem simple now, such as posting content that feels like an authentic reflection of myself or following a balanced range of accounts, were all things I had to figure out myself. Through my personal experiences, I’ve realized that avoiding technology alone is not a holistic enough solution for something as complex as social media. What’s missing from the zero-screen time approach is that youth are not often told what to do when we are on social media––how to use social media in a way that feels right to us and serves us well.
This is important to acknowledge because for many of us, technology is deeply entrenched in daily life. 90 percent of teens aged 13-17 in the US use at least one social media platform, making quitting social media altogether a relatively unsustainable approach. One-dimensional messaging about reducing screen time also signals to youth that social media is inherently bad. This can quickly overlook the idea that social media can have real benefits, and undermine the work of advocates who envision a safe, empowering, and engaging online space. In order to better support healthy online behavior, we need to actively develop and implement strategies––not just write social media off as a fundamentally unhealthy space.
So to parents, teachers, and adult allies: the next time you talk to a young person about social media, consider leading a more balanced conversation that involves tips for the time we do spend online. Acknowledge the benefits of social media alongside its potential pitfalls.
About the Author:
Chloe Kim (she/her) is a high school student at Phillips Academy who is passionate about discussing and reducing stigma around mental health. She enjoys working with #GoodforMEdia to help youth engage with social media in a healthy way.