How to talk to parents about this topic?
Lots of people wonder how they should approach friends and other parents about this topic. How do you kick off this conversation? Well, we are still learning ourselves and everyone brings their own perspectives, experiences, and family values. So, sometimes these chats might not feel easy…but they do not have to be arguments.
Overarching principals that will help keep the conversation positive:
Most importantly: talk, don’t tell. Ask questions and listen to how people are feeling. Don’t approach this as an argument to be won or lost.
Know - and say - that everyone wants to do the best for their children, however we handle this complicated issue.
Ditch parental judgement and be clear who’s ultimately responsible: big tech and our government
Parents have been put in an impossible position. Either we allow our children access to something harmful, or we risk alienating them among their peers.
Talk about the growing evidence, but don’t beat people over the head with facts and stats. The simple reality is that 10 years ago, we didn’t know the impact that smartphones had on kids. Now, we do.
Helpful talking points:
Smartphones decrease attention-span, damage mental health and open up a world of things our kids shouldn’t have to deal with…ever.
We all know smartphones are addictive. For kids smartphones can get in the way of all the good stuff: playing outside, hanging out with friends, reading, talking and laughing.
Of course technology is part of the world now, and children need to learn how to use it. But young children aren’t equipped to have a healthy relationship with something addictive. It’s hard enough for us adults!
There are alternatives. Many parents want to be able to contact their children for safety but this needn’t be a smartphone.
Tobacco companies used to market their products to kids as healthy - we think we'll look back on smartphones the same way.
Films are regulated, computer games are regulated, now smartphones need to be.
If you receive a lot of pushback OR your friend wants to learn more…our website is chock full of useful information and links to data, books, podcasts, other sites. But most importantly - we are a community of like-minded parents working to make change.