Smart Devices in the Digital Age: Balancing Benefits and Risks for Children | Sponsored by Ochsner Health

In today’s world, it’s becoming increasingly rare to see young people without a device nearby. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop or smartwatch, kids and teens are almost always connected. It’s a reality of the modern world that can have both advantages and disadvantages, and parents struggle to find the right balance.

“These devices make it easier for parents and caregivers to keep track of their children, which provides an added sense of security. Everyone knows they can communicate quickly and efficiently, especially in an emergency,” said Suzana Flores, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist at Ochsner Health Center-Gause in Slidell, who has written and presented extensively on the use of the technology. “But the major drawbacks are cyberbullying and privacy concerns. With so much access to the internet, it can cause a lot of distractions for kids and make it easier for them to become victims of bullying.”

Dr. Flores said many children, and even adults, underestimate how many people can see their social media communications. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and others are public forums where thousands of people can view posts, sometimes bypassing privacy settings. That means if a young adult posts content that generates teasing or negative comments, it can escalate quickly.

“It’s not like one or two people reacting when it’s cyberbullying. It could be hundreds of people attacking one child,” she said. “Even if a child deletes a profile and creates a new one, kids are often smart enough to find and follow a new account. It can get uncontrollable very quickly.”

However, Dr. Flores said there are alternatives to smartphones that allow children to stay connected to family and friends without exposing themselves to so many potential dangers. Basic cell phones offer the ability to make calls and send text messages without the distraction of internet access. Smartwatches designed specifically for children often have features such as calling and texting, GPS tracking and sometimes fitness tracking. In addition, devices such as tablets and laptops, which students may need for classwork and entertainment, can come with parental controls. Dr. Flores said these features allow parents to limit a child’s screen time, monitor overall device use and block specific websites or inappropriate content.

“When I meet with parents, I often hear that they want to take away their devices,” Dr. Flores said. “That’s not the best approach because it’s their child’s world. They’re going to have access to it somewhere else. It’s much better to sit down with your child and learn about the apps and social media they’re using. It’s good to talk about the risks that are out there, especially when it comes to cyberbullying and misinformation. It’s about understanding the devices and choosing the ones that are most appropriate.”

Regardless of what type of technology a child or teen uses, Dr. Flores said parents and caregivers should keep a close eye on their screen time. Research shows that signs of unhealthy screen use can include sleep problems, increased stress and lower academic achievement. Children may also have trouble having face-to-face conversations if most of their interactions are through screens rather than face-to-face. Dr. Flores said she gained insight into these feelings while researching her book, “Facehooked: How Facebook Affects Our Emotions, Relationships, and Lives.”

“I interviewed teens and asked them why they felt the need to respond to messages immediately. The most surprising response was from (a teen) who said she was uncomfortable with silence,” she said. “We all need to recognize that we need silence and periods of time to practice introspection and just consider things.”

To create periods of time for reflection and interaction, Dr. Flores recommends that families designate certain blocks where no one is on their devices. Dinner can be a perfect time for both kids and adults to put down the technology and talk to each other. And while it’s often tempting to scroll through social media in the evening, putting away phones and tablets can help the brain relax and prepare the body for better sleep.

In Louisiana, lawmakers and education officials are also seeking to balance device use with distractions. Under a new state law, during the school day, public school students cannot have their cell phones on or visible during classes, meals, recess or any other time a student is on school grounds.

“It’s a good time for families to do a little bit of a reset and set some rules around device use,” Dr. Flores said. “It’s also important for parents to meet with school administrators if they want to talk about their policies, not just around phones but also cyberbullying. I think we all want to know that we’re taking steps that we can to protect our kids.”