2024-11-21 14:13:00
From a digital medicine expert’s perspective, a nationwide ban on cell phones in schools can better protect children and young people from media addiction and mental illness.
Such a ban could reduce peer pressure on cell phone use and ease the burden on parents, argues clinical psychologist Ira-Katharina Petras from Aachen University Hospital in a statement to the regional parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. There, the influence of the media on children’s health will be the subject of an expert hearing this Thursday at the request of the SPD opposition.
In its application, the SPD calls, among other things, for the creation of treatment facilities that provide the best possible care for sick children and young people in special clinics. Parents and teaching staff should be “raised of the risks and side effects of excessive media consumption”. To this end, media-free times should be integrated into everyday life, for example in kindergarten, school or before bed.
Several experts complain that the SPD focuses too much on the risks of digital media and neglects the educational opportunities associated with them and the right of children and young people to digital participation.
Digital media are already a natural part of their lives today, says Julius Keinath, media protection specialist for young people from Schleswig-Holstein. They also used these media to socialize with their peers or to seek information to form political opinions.
Psychologist Petras emphasizes that to understand the risks of digital media it is important to broaden our perspective beyond pure media use and take the social environment into account.
Many children today grow up in a difficult social environment where their basic needs are neglected and they do not receive the support necessary for healthy development. “Children and young people who use the Internet in harmful or pathological ways often satisfy these basic needs online that are neglected offline.”
Why parents ban cell phones could be counterproductive
To prevent the risks of pathological use of the media, it is necessary to strengthen children’s basic skills, such as emotion regulation, social skills, self-esteem, sense of self-efficacy and the ability to reflect.
An important protective factor is also a positive parent-child relationship, “characterized by trust, open communication and active media education”.
A blanket ban on cell phone use in schools could ease the burden on parents, but a ban imposed by parents themselves could even be counterproductive, Petras warns. If children are afraid of media bans, their confidence and willingness to tell their parents about unpleasant or inappropriate experiences on the Internet will decrease.
Australia: access to social media only from 16 years old
Australia is planning one of the world’s toughest regulations on young people’s use of social media. The government introduced a bill to parliament on Thursday that would ban access to children and young people under the age of 16, while holding suppliers accountable.
“This is a revolutionary reform,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “We know some children will find ways around them, but we are sending a message to social media companies to change their behaviour.”
The law would require platforms – not parents or young people – to take reasonable steps to ensure age verification. In case of systematic violations, providers such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, Bytedance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s short messaging service X and Snapchat risk fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (around 30.5 million euros).
The draft sets the highest age limit ever set for the use of social media in any country. The government argues that excessive use of social media poses risks to the physical and mental health of children, particularly girls, through harmful portrayals of body image and misogynistic content aimed at boys.
“For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Nearly two-thirds of 14- to 17-year-olds in Australia have seen extremely harmful content online, including substance abuse, suicide or self-harm,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said. “Social media has a social responsibility.”
The implementation involves testing age verification systems that may include biometrics or government identification. According to the government, access to messaging services, email, online games, YouTube, health and education services is not affected.
How can parents effectively guide their children in using digital media responsibly without imposing harsh restrictions?
Time.news Interview: Addressing Digital Media Use in Schools
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re delving into the critical topic of digital media use among children and young people. We have with us Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras, a clinical psychologist from Aachen University Hospital. Dr. Petras, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Petras: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this important issue.
Interviewer: Let’s get right into it. You’ve suggested that a nationwide ban on cell phones in schools could help reduce media addiction and related mental health issues among young people. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Petras: Absolutely. In my view, a nationwide cell phone ban in schools could significantly decrease the peer pressure kids feel to be constantly connected. This shift can alleviate the burden on parents who are struggling to manage their children’s media consumption. It’s about creating a healthier environment for our kids, where learning and face-to-face interactions take precedence.
Interviewer: That’s an interesting perspective. However, there are critics who argue that focusing solely on the risks of digital media overlooks its educational benefits. What are your thoughts on balancing these viewpoints?
Dr. Petras: You raise a valid point. Digital media are indeed integral to children’s lives today, facilitating social connections and providing information. However, it’s crucial to broaden our conversation beyond media use to consider the social context in which these children are growing up. Many come from challenging environments where their basic needs aren’t met, leading them to seek fulfillment online. We need to address these underlying issues along with managing media consumption.
Interviewer: How do you propose we strengthen children’s abilities to handle digital media effectively without instituting harsh restrictions?
Dr. Petras: Strengthening skills like emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social competence is key. Open communication with parents is essential; they can play a protective role by modeling constructive media use and discussing any negative experiences their children may encounter online. A trusting parent-child relationship fosters a safe space for children to share their online experiences without fear of being judged or punished.
Interviewer: You mentioned that bans imposed by parents might be counterproductive. Can you explain why?
Dr. Petras: Yes, imposing strict bans can lead to a breakdown of communication between parents and children. If kids feel they must hide their online activities due to fear of repercussions, they are less likely to report negative experiences. Instead of punitive measures, I advocate for active media education that involves parents and encourages children to develop healthy media habits.
Interviewer: On a related note, Australia is looking into regulating social media access for young people, proposing that users must be at least 16 years old. What are your thoughts on age restrictions like this?
Dr. Petras: While age restrictions can be beneficial in some respects, they also need to be part of a broader strategy. Simply setting an age limit doesn’t address the fundamental challenges children face in navigating digital spaces. We need comprehensive solutions that combine education, support, and open dialog between children, parents, and educators.
Interviewer: It sounds like education and communication are critical themes in addressing the challenges posed by digital media. Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Dr. Petras: Yes, I believe that rather than imposing blanket bans, we should focus on equipping children with the tools they need to navigate the digital world responsibly. By promoting media literacy and fostering supportive environments, we can help children thrive in both their real and digital lives.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Petras, for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that a nuanced approach will be crucial in tackling digital media use for the younger generation.
Dr. Petras: Thank you for having me! It’s been great discussing these vital issues with you.
Interviewer: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed and engaged as we continue to explore pressing topics that shape our world today!