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 it’s 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”. For this purpose, media-free times should be integrated into everyday life, such as 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 details to form political opinions.
Psychologist Petras emphasizes that to understand the risks of digital media it is vital to broaden our perspective beyond pure media use and take the social environment into account.
Many children today grow up in a arduous social environment where their basic needs are neglected and they do not receive the support necessary for healthy progress. “Children and young people who use the Internet in harmful or pathological ways frequently enough 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 interaction and active media education”.
A blanket ban on cellphones 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 behavior.”
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 obligation.”
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 and educators effectively manage children’s media consumption?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras
Time.news Editor: Welcome,Dr. Petras! We’re thrilled to have you here today to discuss the pressing issue of media consumption among children and the nationwide cell phone ban in schools. You recently presented your views to the regional parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. Can you share your key arguments for the necessity of this ban?
Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras: Thank you for having me! My primary argument centers around protecting children from the risks of media addiction and its associated mental health issues. A nationwide ban on cell phones in schools could considerably reduce peer pressure concerning device usage. By eliminating phones from the school habitat,we create a space where students can focus on learning without the constant distractions and social comparisons that social media can exacerbate.
Time.news editor: That’s a compelling point. You mentioned easing the burden on parents as well.how do you see this ban benefiting families?
Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras: Many parents feel overwhelmed by the challenges of managing their children’s screen time and digital interactions. By instituting a school ban, we take away one major context for electronic distraction. this could lead to healthier habits by encouraging children to engage in more face-to-face interaction and non-digital activities both at school and at home. It helps parents foster better media consumption habits without the constant battle over screen time.
Time.news Editor: The SPD opposition’s proposal also includes the creation of treatment facilities for children and young people affected by these issues. What do you think about this measure?
Dr.ira-Katharina Petras: It’s an essential step indeed. We need specialized clinics that offer tailored support to children and adolescents struggling with media-related issues. However, we must also emphasize prevention. To mitigate the risks effectively,education about media usage should begin early. Parents and educators need to understand the consequences of excessive media consumption to address these issues before they escalate.
time.news Editor: In line with that, the SPD has highlighted integrating media-free times into daily routines.Can you elaborate on why this is crucial?
Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras: absolutely. Establishing media-free times—whether in schools, kindergartens, or at home before bed—encourages children to engage in different activities such as reading, playing, or exercising. These media-free intervals are essential for developing a balanced lifestyle. It allows time for reflection and fosters creativity without the influence of screens, thus promoting mental well-being and reducing anxiety levels associated with constant connectivity.
Time.news Editor: There are critics who argue that focusing too heavily on the risks of media consumption oversimplifies a complex issue. What’s your response to that?
Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras: I completely understand that outlook. Media,when used appropriately,can be a valuable educational tool. However, it’s critical that we don’t ignore the rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social challenges among young people that correlate with excessive media use. Our focus should be on promoting responsible use, acknowledging both the benefits and risks of digital platforms. This approach calls for a balanced discourse rather than an all-or-nothing stance.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, dr. Petras. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate the challenges of technology in education. Before we conclude,what do you believe is the next step for parents,educators,and lawmakers in this process?
Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras: Open communication is key. Parents and educators need to engage with children about their media experiences and set clear, consistent guidelines. Moreover, lawmakers should foster dialog with experts like us to create robust policies that not just react to contemporary issues but proactively shape the digital landscape for the betterment of future generations.
Time.news Editor: Excellent points! Thank you for your time and insights,Dr. Petras. This discussion is just the beginning of a vital conversation that we need to continue, and we appreciate your contribution to it.
Dr. Ira-Katharina Petras: Thank you for having me! I’m glad to have this platform to discuss these important issues.
