Elena Kale MCIM’s Post

My Thoughts for Today Blatant social media use is destroying children's lives! Sure, even adults struggle to find a healthy relationship with smartphones and social media. But for kids and adolescents it’s closer to a full-blown mental health crisis. In 2011, only 23% of American teens had a smartphone. Just five years later, 79% of them did! Between 2015 and 2022, the number of teens who said they were online “almost constantly” doubled! As social psychologist Jonathan Haidt describes in his book, "The Anxious Generation", all that screen time coincides with dramatic rises in teen depression, anxiety, and suicide. Haidt correctly highlights another aspect to his indictment: overprotective parenting. While kids are often left to navigate online life without any guardrails, parents are increasingly limiting their activities in the real world which has devastating consequences for their development into capable adults. It's time for all of us to take a cold hard look at where we are headed in this emerging environment. And it needs to happen now! #ccpn #future #education #socialmedia

With recent calls to ban social media for kids, I wanted to explain why I think we are making a mistake. I'm concerned the pendulum is about to swing too far and create a generation of 'overprotected' or 'bubble wrapped' kids in the online world. ➡️Who wont be equipped with the tools and knowledge to safely enter the online world when they grow up, or when they inevitably access social media through a friend, sibling, or when their parents are not around. ➡️Instead of banning social media for kids, I think the appropriate response to the online harms (that do exist!) is to actually parent our kids. ➡️This generation of parents have a tough job on their hands because these are new problems we have never learned to face. ➡️But that doesn't mean to solution is to avoid and ban social media, because it isn't going away anytime soon. Imagine how powerful your child could be when they know how to navigate social media in a healthy and productive way, instead of having to sneak around bans and rules to get their fix... ➡️And here's a challenge; for those who are using psychology terminology in everyday settings, e.g. "addiction" or want to "prove" the Haidt hype - in 20 years I haven't found robust research that supports what is being said (hence this post) IF you can provide me with studies to back up your challenge or claim then I can change my mind. ➡️Text based replies do not include my emphasis, tone of voice or way I work IRL; so if I counter your reply then you will read it with your own lens. ➡️I teach parents, carers, teachers and professionals HOW to navigate this new world of social media with their kids so you don't have to ban it from your home and cross your fingers that they'll be okay when they use social media as adults... I've launched a parenting group on my website you can join and learn the tools you need. Link in my bio. #parents #parenting #childrensmentalhealth #screentime #kiddandsocialmedia #kidsandphones #childonlinesafety #onlineharms

In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt lays out four reforms or “new norms” that would provide a foundation for a healthier kind of childhood in the digital age. Each norm helps parents and teens escape the social trap they find themselves in. No teen wants to be the only one who does not have a smartphone and social media, and no parent wants to socially isolate their child. These four norms help families escape the trap and reverse the two big (well-intentioned) mistakes we’ve made: overprotecting children in the real world and under-protecting them online. #playbasedchildhood #anxiousgeneration

THE ART OF RELATING Tips for adult parents or siblings to build stronger relationships with their teenagers. Teenagers face the worst form of pressure in life mounted on them by puberty and all that is associated with it. They are newly exposed to certain changes in their bodies that comes with its own emotional package. Controlling their emotions become an everyday struggle and the tendency of lashing out on others is extremely high. They struggle to fit in, be perfect, feel good about themselves, and try to carry on responsibilities just because they feel the need to act the way they are beginning to look. They feel disregarded and not heard by everyone around them. "Why would you say my feelings are childish when I feel so strongly about them" Questions like that run through their minds everyday. The need to be someone great claws at them at every given time. Sometimes they are lucky enough to be guarded other times they are pushed into something horrible. The thought of being left out is very unbearable and sickening and they just need to be aware and in control of their lives. If you really want to help your teen.. This is not the time to invalidate their feelings or remind them that they are just semi adults. Rather, this is the time to guide them, to remind them that they are capable, strong, brave and dearing. This is not the time to see their stubbornness as a way of measuring up to you. Rather, this is the time to hug them and say I got you. This is not the time to let them do whatever they please especially when it will harm them. Rather, this is the time to say look I know how you are feeling, I know you feel this way, it isn't your fault but this is not the right way. This is not the time to restrict them from making choices, Rather, this is the time to guide them through their choices. This is not the time to hit them at the slightest provocation without any explanation Rather, this is the time to explain to them the consequence of their actions and why you had to discipline them. The older ones can do much better with the teenagers of this generation!!!❤️ The world is evolving, change your pattern of correction. If you have something to add or ask feel free to in the comment section 👇 #linkedin #teenadvocate #article #blogging

Balancing entrepreneurship with parenting isn’t easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. While my work keeps me busy around the clock, I make it a priority to tune into my children’s emotions. Sometimes, it’s as subtle as the look in their eyes or a moment of hesitation that tells me they need to talk. These aren’t grand gestures—just a simple car ride with my daughter or a quick outing for waffles with my son. It’s about being present, listening without judgment, and helping them process what they’re going through. Friends are important, but there’s something unique about the clarity a parent can offer in moments of confusion. My daughter recently wrote an article exploring the impact of social media on children and how parental support is crucial in navigating emotions. It’s a reminder that our role as parents goes beyond guidance—it’s about connection, every single day. Read her article here: https://lnkd.in/dm-XQRBy #ParentingJourney #EntrepreneurshipAndParenting #EmotionalWellness #ParentChildBond #SocialMediaImpact #MindfulParenting #BeingPresent #RaisingResilientKids #ParentingInDigitalAge #FamilyFirst Spandana Bhura 

✨ Is your child eagerly awaiting the weekend for some extra screen time on their favorite gadgets? While it's fun, it's essential to set boundaries! 💻📱 In today's digital age, social media can be both a source of connection and a challenge for children. It's crucial for parents to balance screen time with enriching, offline activities that foster growth and development. 🌱 Through DNA testing, you can take a proactive approach to support your child’s emotional and mental well-being! If you are curious how DNA testing can help you understand their unique traits and tailor your parenting strategies accordingly, check out our latest blog! 👇 Read here👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/gdQtBnJP #AGTGenetics #DNATest #DNATestMalaysia #ParentingTips #DigitalAge #DNATesting #HolisticDevelopment

When the 🌪️ sirens sounded, my husband and 2 teen daughters and I all went down to the basement together. The four of us squished together on the couch.  At first, we kept watching the show that was on and almost all of us were also using our phone—scrolling or playing Tetris. 📱🎮 🖥️ But then the power went out. 🪫 And the wifi was cut off too… 😣 We sat around in the basement in the dark and were like: "Now what do we do?" ⁉️ We turned on some headlamps and we talked. 🕯️ We started taking turns telling stories from our lives. My youngest daughter made everyone crack up because of her hilarious jokes.   With the lights off, we got silly and laughed so hard we got a cramp. 🤪 It was beautiful. We were down there for over an hour. It went so quickly. 🕰️ That connecting and quality together time NEVER would have happened if everyone was distracted and isolated on their own tech device.  I thought: Is this what we’ve been missing out on? 🥹 I've been doing a lot of research lately on the impact of excessive screen time on our youth. Missing out on quality family time and cultivating relationships with depth and meaning is only ONE of the devastating effects. There is an entire DOMINO EFFECT too much screen time has on our kids, our family and our culture. I created a workshop for parents of teens (ages 10-20) that outlines specific strategies we can take to protect our teens (and kids) from the dangers of social media & gaming before technology takes control of & ruins their life. Parent Workshop: Social Media & Screen Safety  ✅ How teens can THRIVE despite being inundated with soul-sucking & addiction-causing technology.  ✅ The parental SUPERPOWER you already have that will save your teen from letting technology ruin their life. ✅ Three essential skills to strengthen teens’ resilience against excessive tech, toxic culture and internal self doubt. If you have a child that has access to video games, the internet, a smartphone and/or streaming services, you do not want to miss this workshop! Which workshop fits best in your schedule? 🗓️ Wednesday, October 9th 7 pm CST 🗓️ Thursday, October 24th 7 pm CST Click here to save your seat: https://lnkd.in/gjajz4uq

If you have teens on social media, they are probably using or at least hearing the phrase "big back." And the trendy term is trickling down to younger and younger kids. Do you know what it can mean and how kids are using it today? I was grateful to talk about this tricky topic with Beth Greenfield for Fortune magazine. #socialmedia #adolescentmentalhealth #eatingdisorderawarness #bodyimage https://lnkd.in/gAJxYsgQ

“The cost of not being able to set boundaries with kids has never been higher. Decades ago, if parents struggled to hold boundaries and tolerate pushback, a child may have had an extra cupcake or stayed out too late. Today the cost of not being able to set boundaries looks more like freely scrolling TikTok at age 8 or playing endless hours of video games at the expense of participating in the real world. I agree that we are facing a crisis—but I don’t see only a crisis of phones and social media. I also see a crisis of what I call “Sturdy Leadership” at a time when our kids need it more than ever.” Becky Kennedy As I reflect on Digital for Life Festival last week and the parents who came up to our booth asking for tips on how to manage their kids social media usage (something I also struggle with), this article points to such a simple insight about the importance of boundaries. Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook and many of us rely on intuition. But when it comes to growing up with devices we don’t have much to go on as we didn’t grow up with them ourselves, so it’s fair enough we might get lost along the way. This article is a timely reminder. https://lnkd.in/gvsPeVKf

Happy World Social Media Day! 🌐 While we celebrate the power of social networks to connect us worldwide, let's also consider creating a healthier digital world for our kids. In the next edition of our monthly newsletter, Principal Nicole Gregory talks about Dr Jonathon Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation" that explores the impact of smartphones on the mental health and wellbeing of our young people. Nicole says "Adolescents will always go in search of answers to the questions they feel they cannot ask their families. Once upon a time they gained misinformation from their mates at lunchtime, now they can tap into an unfathomable world of uncensored, unresearched, untested information and opinions, with a few taps of a screen. While Haidt paints a grim picture of the impact on young people he does believe that we can arrest the damage, but it will take the whole village. His advice is simple and set to empower parents, carers and educators to take a stand: 1️⃣ No SMART phones before 14 – Keep the internet out of their pockets. Flip phones still exist! 2️⃣ No social media until 16 – Allow them to get through puberty first. 3️⃣ Phone-Free schools – Encourage focus and face-to-face interaction. 4️⃣ More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world – Foster real-life skills and connections. "Imagine if these changes were the norm across our community. Our young people would have the freedom to grow up without the toxicity of online criticism and public opinion eating away at their self-esteem. We would gift them with more opportunities to engage in life, learning how to manage relational challenges in an environment where the network of care (parents, carers, and school) all have a voice." [Nicole] #WorldSocialMediaDay #HealthyDigitalHabits #PositiveConnections #TheAnxiousGeneration #JonathonHaidt