Most parents these days recognize that too much screen time is harmful to their children, and are trying to implement or implement a system of guidelines on how and when children use digital technology.
But now, smartphones are essentially universal, so when the digital world lives in the back pocket, how do parents protect their children from the inherent dangers of internet, social media and addiction?
Claire Morell, director of the Technology and Human Prosperity Project at the Center for Ethics and Public Policy, tells Zero Hour James Polos It's like counterculture, the only way to protect your child is to say no to your smartphone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_mar4plokg
“Most parents know that these digital technologies aren't good for their children, but they sell this illusion from the tech companies themselves that they can alleviate these harms simply by using screen time restrictions and parental controls, but essentially, these strategies are merely measures to reduce harm,” she says.
Even under the strictest screen time parameters, some degree of harm is inevitable.
It's a “loss, loss” situation for parents, says Morell. “Screentime limits don't work. These technologies are addictive due to design, so kids always want more… and because kids “continue to encounter dangerous content and find around screen time limits.”
Morell argues that it's a tech company that we blame. They are people who lie to their parents by suggesting that they can “stand between their child and this drug osmoter,” which is purposefully designed to be “addicted in nature.”
But is it really possible to completely reduce smart technology from your child's life?
It's certainly not an easy road, but it's the best, says Morel.
“I ended up interviewing dozens of them for my books and not only did I get to completely opt out of these addictive digital technologies, but I also found that these families were thriving. The kids who grew up in college were grateful that they weren't given a smartphone. They saw the differences even among their peers on campus,” she tells James.
Morel's book, “Technology Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Children and Teens from Smartphones” It will fall in June this year.
“What harm do we have here? How serious is the problem?” asks James.
Using smartphones “causing this mental health outbreak among children,” Morell said. “The rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and self-harm have skyrocketed, and are exactly alongside social media releases,” and “the popularity of teenage smartphones.”
While large tech companies are very aware of the damage their products are causing to children, the real change needs to transform highly favorable business models based on addiction. Therefore, there is no chance of change.
“They want to make the most of their attention, time and data to sell to advertisers,” explains Morell.
Parental control that doesn't work again can be sold to create illusions of children's concerns while keeping the business model intact.
“It's like putting a band-aid on this type of gaping wound,” says Morell.
She says parents will help throw away the false phors that smartphones should be treated like sugar.
She explains that the amount of dopamine released into the brain when a child is involved in social media is comparable to “a highly addictive drug.”
“Sugar is not really the right phor. It's like digital fentanyl.”
For more information about Morell's research, see the episode above.
Want more from James Poulos?
To enjoy James' visionary commentary on politics, technology, ideas and culture. Subscribe to BlazetV – A network of voices of the largest multi-platform network that loves America, defends the Constitution and lives America's dreams.
