CLS Parent Support

  The 12 Most Dangerous Apps for Kids: A Guide for Parents Haley Zapal  |  February 02, 2022 **Update: As of November 2023, Omegle has shut down over claims of abuse.** *This blog post was reviewed again for accuracy August 8, 2024** Key takeaways from this blog post: Some apps can pose risks to kids, including exposure to inappropriate content or online predators. Popular apps like TikTok and Snapchat have features that can be misused or lead to privacy issues. Parents should be aware of the apps their children use and monitor their activity to ensure safety. Setting clear rules and discussing online safety with kids helps mitigate potential dangers. Using parental controls, like those offered by Bark, can help you protect your kid from risks online. For even the most tech-savvy of parents, keeping up with all of the latest apps your kid wants to download can be a real struggle. Trends change, social media platforms evolve, and new viral apps can explode onto the scene i...

  Jonathan Haidt:  Are Smartphones Ruining Childhood?  TED In this episode, Jonathan Haidt discusses his book 'The Anxious Generation' and explores how the rise of smartphones and social media has contributed to a mental health crisis among young people, particularly girls. He argues that the shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood, combined with overprotective parenting, has led to a lack of face-to-face interaction, reduced independence, and increased anxiety and depression. Haidt highlights the collective effects of social media and the need for collective action to address the issue. He suggests strategies such as implementing phone-free schools, delaying the introduction of smartphones and social media until high school, and promoting more independent, real-world experiences for children. He emphasizes the importance of regaining control over attention and prioritizing quality human connections. Throughout the episode, Haidt addresses criticisms ...

  Social Media and Youth Mental Health:  The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the  American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue and provides r ecommendations for how it should be addressed. Advisories are reserved  for significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate  awareness and action. This Advisory calls attention to the growing concerns about the effects of social  media on youth mental health. It explores and describes the current evidence on  the positive and negative impacts of social media on children and adolescents,  some of the primary areas for mental health and well-being concerns, and  opportunities for additional research to help understand the full scope and  scale of social media’s impact. This document is not an exhaustive review of the  literature. Rather, it was developed through a substantial review of the avai...

  2023 Constant Companion:   A Week in the Life of a Young Person's Smartphone Use Introduction Smartphones entered the lives of children and adolescents in 2007. Compared to earlier devices (flip phones), smartphones allowed more than just texting and taking photos. Young people could now browse the internet, choose from thousands of mobile applications ("apps") and games, and connect immediately with their communities through social platforms— from anywhere. As internet speeds and computing power increased exponentially over the past 15 years, smartphones have become even more powerful and versatile, allowing livestreaming, multiplayer gaming, and creation and distribution of content. Over a relatively short period of time, these handheld computers have become a disruptive force in the lives of young people, in positive and negative ways that adults who grew up with landlines may not fully grasp. Getting a smartphone is now a rite of passage for most children and adoles...

Cellphones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers April 26, 2024 By age 11, about half of children in the U.S. own a smartphone. When you hand your child a cellphone, you're giving them a powerful tool for communication and entertainment. These devices become a constant companion in the lives of preteens and teens —a source of connection, creativity, and, yes, even distraction. Here are some ways for parents and caregivers to guide their children to use their phones in healthy and responsible ways. Click here to read more... Note:  The above comes directly from their website.

What's the Impact of Media and Screen Violence on Children? July 15, 2024 Research shows that viewing or playing violent content  could have an effect on children . This applies to both real and fictional violence that they might see on-screen. Violence that children absorb through TV, social media, movies, games, and other entertainment can: Raise their levels of fear, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues Desensitize them to the pain and suffering of others Increase the chances of them acting aggressively As hard as you try, you won't be able to avoid all exposure to violent media and entertainment. Our nonstop news cycle and social media feeds can make it difficult to avoid disturbing images. If your child learns about a tragic event or witnesses graphic photos or videos,  talk with them about it in an age-appropriate way .  Click here to read more. Note:  The above comes directly from their website.