Teenage Media Mania

A new study released yesterday finds that children between the ages of 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day using electronic media. That means that many children are spending a staggering 2,756 hours a year getting their geek & gadget fix. Most working adults put in similar time pursuing their careers as this demographic does using Wii, smart-phones, television, FaceBook and other such media.

Another alarming aspect of this report concerns the results of such obsessive habits. Children who use electronic media excessively perform worse in every area of their lives, including school work. Further, the report finds an alarming diminished personal happiness for these hyper-connected children. In other words, the Kaiser report finds that this level of media-saturation is, in fact, harmful.

How should parents receive this kind of report? We should take it as a warning.

Paul instructed the Ephesians to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5.15-16). We cannot accept that this media saturation is simply a part of our day and culture and that we have to live with it. As parents, we must teach our children to use their time properly. Where else will they learn this? Rules are necessary to protect children from spending every moment gazing at a screen or tweeting the day away . Children must learn to make the best use of their time – and parents are in the best possible position to teach them this.

My advice is for parents to establish “media rules” that are both clear and consistently applied. Of course, it is up to the parent to decide how much is enough, but whatever policies they put in place should include all gadgets, including text-messaging devices. And a healthy balance ought to be the goal, not a total unplugging. Other, more constructive activities should be encouraged – and the kids will have way more time for that with their gadgets turned off.

Older children need encouragement in this area too. We’ve got to remember that they’ll be on their own in no time. How will they function when they are completely left to their own devices (pun intended)? Good habits take time to build, so get building while there is still time!

Further,  parents ought to demonstrate a better use of their own time and plan for constructive family time. Instead of kicking back in front of the evening programming while the kids spend another riveting evening with the Wii, why not go for a family walk or dust off a board game for some friendly family competition? Is it healthier for kids to play outside or to fellowship inside than to zombie out with a PSP? For me, the answer is a no-brainier, and the Kaiser report concurs.

Let’s make the best use of time, and teach our children to do the same. Now, where did I put my iPhone?