Podcast Summary
Parents' Technology Use During Meals Affects Children's Behavior: Excessive parental use of smartphones and tablets during meals can lead to negative behaviors in children, such as disruptive actions to get attention.
The excessive use of smartphones and tablets by parents during meals can lead to negative behavior in children, with the children trying to get their parents' attention through disruptive actions. A study conducted at fast food restaurants in Boston found that 73% of observed parents were on their devices during meals, leading to harsh and robotic responses from parents and further misbehavior from the children. This episode of LifeKit focuses on the role parents play in their children's relationship with technology, with tips on dealing with distraction, oversharing, and the impact of parents' technology use on their children. After the break, we'll explore the science behind these phenomena and provide practical solutions for parents. In the meantime, remember to put down the phone during meals and engage with your children for a healthier family dynamic. Support for NPR and this podcast comes from Whole Foods Market, offering wallet-friendly options for hosting celebratory brunches, and Equinix, the digital infrastructure company turning dreams into reality.
The Impact of Parents' Phone Usage on Kids: Limit phone use during quality time with kids to improve relationship and help them develop healthy digital habits.
It's important to put your phone away whenever possible when you're with your kids. According to a study, parents of young kids pick up their phones an average of almost 70 times a day, but most of them underestimate this number. While it may seem insignificant to check your phone during dinner or while doing household chores, it can have serious consequences, especially when you're driving with your kids or at the pool. Distracted parenting can be a literal life or death issue in these situations. However, in other cases, the impact may be less clear-cut. For instance, parents may argue that they're "doing something" while checking their phones, but the truth is, it can still distract them from fully engaging with their children. It's essential to be mindful of this and make a conscious effort to limit phone use when spending quality time with your kids. By doing so, you'll not only improve your relationship with them but also help them develop healthy digital habits.
Using phones excessively around children creates a cycle of stress and misbehavior: Parents under stress use screens more, worsening kids' behavior issues, creating a vicious cycle. Find alternatives to manage stress and engage with kids.
Using phones excessively around children can create a vicious cycle of stress and misbehavior for both parents and kids. According to Dr. Radeschi's research, parents who are more stressed and less confident tend to use screens more often to cope with their children's behavior problems. However, this use of screens can actually worsen the situation, as children with more behavior issues tend to receive more screen time, leading to even more stress for parents. Instead of relying on screens as a quick fix, parents are encouraged to find alternative ways to manage stress and engage with their children. Using apps to track and limit screen use, physically stashing phones away, or turning off notifications are some practical solutions. Ultimately, it's important to recognize that using screens as a way to escape the challenges of parenting can prevent us from building stronger, healthier relationships with our children.
Understanding the root causes of children's challenging behavior: Be a detective in parenting by considering root causes, mindful of phone use, respect children's online privacy, and strive for balance in sharing
Effective parenting involves being a detective when dealing with challenging behavior from children. This means taking a step back to understand the root causes of their actions, rather than reacting impulsively. Additionally, being mindful of our phone use around our kids can help us better connect with them and respond effectively to their needs. Shifting gears, another important consideration is the impact of our online habits on our family relationships. Before sharing personal stories or photos of our children online, it's crucial to consider their feelings and get their permission whenever possible. As Stacey Steinberg, a professor at University of Florida, advises, striking a balance between respecting our children's privacy and our desire to share is essential. Overall, being thoughtful and intentional in both our offline and online interactions with our kids can lead to stronger, more meaningful relationships.
Considering the risks of sharing family info online: Review privacy settings, avoid explicit images/info, involve kids, model respectful behavior, and empower kids to make informed decisions about their online presence.
While sharing about our families online can bring joy and connection, it's important for parents to consider the potential risks and trade-offs. Stacey Steinberg advises parents to review their privacy settings, avoid sharing explicit images or personal information, and give kids veto power over what's shared about them. By involving kids in the process, we can help them build positive online habits, protect their privacy, and foster healthy self-image. It's crucial to remember that social media interactions can shape children's experiences and perceptions, making it essential for parents to model respectful and considerate online behavior. By empowering kids to make informed decisions about their online presence, we can help them navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
Helping Kids Navigate Online World: Balance Protection and Empowerment: Empower kids to make choices about their online presence while respecting their privacy and autonomy. Seal their passwords at age 13 and open only if needed.
As parents, it's important to help our kids navigate the online world while respecting their needs and interests. In the case of Mallory, she made a unique choice to create an Instagram account dedicated to her family cat, and this decision paid off with 17,000 followers. However, it's crucial not to use technology to stalk our children, as this can undermine their trust and autonomy. Instead, we should empower them to make their own choices, even if it means not being their friend on social media. When children turn 13 and get their own accounts, a suggested approach is for parents to write down and seal their passwords, to be opened only if necessary. By balancing protection and empowerment, we can help raise responsible and independent adults.
Parents' Role in Kids' Technology Use: Parents should advocate for safety rules, stay informed, prioritize phone-free time, avoid using tech as a pacifier, and trust kids with guidance.
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in helping their children navigate the complex world of technology. As children grow older, having trusted adults in their network can help monitor potential issues. However, the online world can be full of distractions and intrusive ads, making it challenging for parents to enforce healthy technology use. Dr. Radeschi, who has written guidelines for parents on children and media, feels that the onus should not solely be on parents to ensure safety. Instead, collective action and regulation are necessary to promote healthier technology use for kids and adults. Parents can get involved by advocating for safety rules on kids' media and staying informed about legislation like the Kids Design and Safety Act. Additionally, parents should prioritize putting their phones away when with their kids, avoiding using technology as a pacifier, obtaining children's permission before sharing their information online, and trusting children to make good decisions when given the right guidance.
Revive wilted hydrangea with cold water bath: Revive wilted hydrangea by submerging in cold water for 45 mins, then recut stems and place back in fresh water for an hour to enjoy for a few more days.
Hydrangea blooms can be revived by giving them a cold water bath. According to NPR's Dina Temple-Raston, this simple solution involves submerging the flowers, stems, and all in cold water for about 45 minutes, followed by recutting the stems and placing them back in a vase of fresh water. The flowers will take about an hour to completely revive and can be enjoyed for a few more days. This tip comes from NPR's Life Kit, a podcast that provides practical tips and advice on various topics. Meanwhile, the political landscape has been eventful this summer, with the 2020 debates and ongoing immigration battles. For the latest news and analysis, listeners can turn to the NPR Politics Podcast. And for insights into the psychology and economics behind people's decisions, they can check out NPR's Choiceology podcast. Lastly, for those in search of a comfortable sleep, Stearns and Foster offers handcrafted mattresses with indulgent memory foam and ultra conforming IntelliCoils. More information can be found on their website.
