A US court has accused Meta and Google of intentionally building addictive social media platforms that harm children's mental health. Lawyers for a young woman named Kaley argued that features like Instagram's infinite scroll were designed to be addictive. While the ruling has been hailed as a "game-changing moment" for social media companies, its practical utility for parents worldwide trying to cut down their kids' screen time remains limited.

Child psychologist Dr. Jane Gilmour recommends implementing changes at a neutral moment, not during heated arguments about screen time, stating, "Calm brains communicate best." A good first step could be designating a specific place in the home for devices, such as a cupboard for chargers, so phones are put away on the charger when not in use.

Older children and teenagers may benefit from being part of the conversation around screen time rather than having rules imposed on them, says child psychologist Dr. Maryhan Baker. She suggests acknowledging peer pressure on social media with statements like, "I understand that's where you connect with friends. Let's talk about how we can create space in your day when you're not on the phone all the time."

Parenting coach Olivia Edwards adds that building a strong connection with your child or teen will make it easier to regulate screen use. This could involve taking a genuine interest in the online content they consume. Parents and children can learn from each other through frank discussions, such as asking, "How do you think that app works to keep people looking at it? Did you know they make money the more time people spend on it?"

Since children often mimic their parents, encouraging good screen habits in them might start with self-reflection. Maryhan encourages a light-hearted approach, like saying, "We're all guilty of this, I'm not as great with my phone as I could be." Jane also notes that both adults and children could benefit from embracing boredom more, as it allows entry into the internal world and fosters creativity.

Dr. Tony Sampson, a reader in digital communication at the University of Essex, warns parents against falling into moral panic. He claims that social media does not shorten attention but diverts it toward commercial content. Positive technological use can help boost neuroplasticity for creativity, exploration, and learning. Parenting in an era where screens are ubiquitous, while their effects are still being studied, can be deeply concerning.

Source: www.bbc.com