{"id":22136,"date":"2023-04-17T14:01:24","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T14:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parent.bloomforall.com\/?p=22136"},"modified":"2023-06-27T16:52:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T16:52:30","slug":"good-digital-wellness-citizenship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/good-digital-wellness-citizenship\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Wellness: Helping Your Teen Take Control of Their Life Online"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"is-style-cnvs-paragraph-callout has-medium-font-size\">Learn how to support your teen\u2019s digital health and wellness and help them become a good digital citizen.<\/p><p>Preteens and teenagers have never known a world without the Internet. They\u2019ve grown up in our online culture, in which relationships are built on social media likes and any questions can be answered in an instant, and it\u2019s your job to make sure they\u2019re equipped to navigate this culture mindfully.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/18-tips-to-keep-your-teen-or-tween-safe-online\/\">Online safety<\/a> and privacy are often a caregiver\u2019s first concerns around how preteens and teens interact with the Internet. And while those topics are crucially important, they aren\u2019t the only components to managing digital life.&nbsp;<\/p><p>It\u2019s also paramount that your preteen or teen understand digital wellness \u2014 the practice of creating an intentional relationship with technology \u2014 and digital citizenship, or how to participate in online spaces in a responsible and respectful way.<\/p><h2 id=\"what-is-digital-health-wellness\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Digital Health &amp; Wellness?&nbsp;<\/h2><p>Digital wellness, or digital wellbeing, is the practice of creating and keeping a balanced and healthy relationship with technology \u2014 meaning, one in which technology supplements and enhances our lives rather than controls it, and we can put down our devices when we need to.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Neglecting digital wellbeing can have physiological and psychological consequences, like suffering from chronic pain from device overuse or increased anxiety about in-person social situations. Here\u2019s how to help your teen cultivate this kind of mindset.<\/p><h2 id=\"6-ways-to-encourage-digital-wellness\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">6 Ways to Encourage Digital Wellness<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"BLOOM + Kids in The House Present \/\/ Too Much Technology\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a_9VWgcUsA4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"1-limit-screen-time\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Limit Screen Time.&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Excessive screen time can lead to<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29499467\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> multiple physical and psychological issues<\/a>, like obesity, disturbed sleep, and diminished social skills; and teens spend an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacap.org\/AACAP\/Families_and_Youth\/Facts_for_Families\/FFF-Guide\/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9 hours a day<\/a> in front of a screen.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Start limiting usage by substituting an alarm clock for their phone and creating a family habit to keep phones out of the bedroom overnight.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 id=\"2-bring-self-awareness-to-social-media\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Bring Self-Awareness to Social Media<\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7392374\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Research shows<\/a> a direct link between social media use and increased rates of depression in teens. Cultivate self-awareness in your preteen or teen around social media: Have them walk you through different posts on their feeds and identify the feelings that arise as they do.<\/p><h3 id=\"3-prioritize-real-time-relationships\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Prioritize Real-Time Relationships&nbsp;<\/h3><p>It\u2019s certainly possible to make real friendships online and via social media, but their IRL connections should be just as important, if not more so.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Explain human interaction, unmediated by a screen, is necessary. Make a family pact to put phones away when talking to others in person and hold each other accountable.<\/p><h3 id=\"4-model-balance-by-limiting-your-screen-time\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Model Balance By Limiting Your Screen Time&nbsp;<\/h3><p>As a role model for your preteen or teen, make sure you\u2019re spending time offline yourself \u2014 taking time for healthy meals, exercising, and engaging in non-screen hobbies. Committing to and scheduling regular family time \u2014 without screens \u2014 will also show your teen that you value time offline.<\/p><h3 id=\"5-set-boundaries-using-do-not-disturb\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Set Boundaries Using \u201cDo Not Disturb\u201d&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Encourage using \u201cdo not disturb\u201d mode during homework and study time. Engage the \u201cdaily limit\u201d options on apps like Instagram or use programs like Freedom to block Internet access for periods of time. Suggest blocking or unfollowing people who aren\u2019t positive forces, or who trigger unhealthy emotional reactions in your teen.<\/p><h3 id=\"6-encourage-mindful-use-of-technology\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Encourage Mindful Use of Technology<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3><p>Are they picking up their device because they need to look something up or are they mindlessly scrolling because they\u2019re bored or uncomfortable?&nbsp;<\/p><p>Start an ongoing conversation about the difference between using their phone as a tool and using it as a distraction from the unavoidable ups and downs of daily life.<\/p><h2 id=\"what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-good-digital-citizen\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does it Mean to Be a Good Digital Citizen?<\/h2><p>The idea of \u201cpublic space\u201d no longer refers just to physical locations outside private homes, like the library or grocery store. Many public spaces are online, like social network feeds and comments sections in forums. And just like you\u2019d teach your teen to be a good citizen in the world \u2014 participating in their community, helping neighbors, respecting others \u2014 it\u2019s important to teach them how to be a good citizen online. This means they\u2019re able to navigate the digital world in a socially and civically responsible way.&nbsp;<\/p><h2 id=\"how-to-foster-digital-citizenship\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Foster Digital Citizenship&nbsp;<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"BLOOM + Kids in the House Present \/\/ Age and Internet Use\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Iy_H09DoXRo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"there-is-no-privacy-on-the-internet\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">There Is No Privacy on the Internet<\/h3><p><strong>Make it clear that there\u2019s simply no such thing as privacy on the Internet. <\/strong>Everything and anything they write, create, or place on a digital device of any kind\u2014text, email, video, photo, social media post, etc.\u2014 should be considered public and permanent.<\/p><h3 id=\"pause-before-they-post\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pause Before They Post<\/h3><p><strong>Teach them to pause before they post<\/strong>. Suggest they wait 15 minutes and take some deep breaths before publishing a comment, post, or response. Suggest they ask themselves: \u201cIs this something I\u2019d want my grandparents\/teachers\/ college admissions board to see?\u201d If the answer is no, then don&#8217;t post.<\/p><h3 id=\"whats-the-intention-behind-the-post\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s the Intention Behind the Post<\/h3><p><strong>Ask them to consider their intentions before posting.<\/strong> Are they seeking appreciation, inclusion, approval, or reassurance? If so, is there something more constructive they could do to meet that need?&nbsp;<\/p><h3 id=\"model-empathy-before-posting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Model Empathy Before Posting<\/h3><p><strong>Model empathy.<\/strong> Empathy is the number one antidote to bullying behavior and can help teens to stand up for others. Remind them that there is an actual person on the other end of their comments, questions, and criticisms. Would they say their comment to the person in real life? If the answer is no, then don\u2019t post.<\/p><h3 id=\"teach-them-to-think-critically\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teach Them to Think Critically<\/h3><p><strong>Teach them to question what they read and share online<\/strong>. Suggest they look at the source of information and news to make sure it\u2019s reputable \u2014 and to fact-check anything that\u2019s not from an established source.<\/p><h3 id=\"use-the-internet-positively\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use the Internet Positively<\/h3><p><strong>Encourage them to add to the internet\u2019s positive side.<\/strong> Are they lifting people up? Are they offering and providing help and serving as a resource when they can? Are they assuming the best from people and clarifying when they\u2019re unsure?<\/p><h3 id=\"dont-plagiarize-give-credit-where-its-due\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t Plagiarize &amp; Give Credit Where It\u2019s Due<\/h3><p><strong>Make sure they know not to pass off content found on the internet (or elsewhere) as their own.<\/strong> Ethics matter: They should not copy, plagiarize, or fail to give credit to materials produced by others.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to support your teen\u2019s digital wellness. We have tips on how to teach them how to take control of their life online and be a good online citizen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":188,"featured_media":22515,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[],"powerkit_post_featured":[],"coauthors":[342],"class_list":{"0":"post-22136","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-digital-life"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/188"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22136\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22136"},{"taxonomy":"powerkit_post_featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/powerkit_post_featured?post=22136"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=22136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}