2. Children and Teens Exploring Online

It’s essential for parents to be aware of the impact of screen time on children and the family dynamic. Determining what constitutes “too much screen time” may vary, but guidelines like those from the Canadian Paediatric Association (Screen Time Recommendations 2022)  recommend limited screen time for children, taking into account factors such as age and activity. 

Excessive screen time has been linked to concerns like Speech and Language Delays (SED), soft brain vulnerabilities, and the potential to disrupt normal social, cognitive, and sexual development in children. Moreover, the negative effects of screens on sleep, with their interference in pre-sleep brain chemistry, cannot be ignored.

It’s crucial to understand that screens are designed to be addictive, often driven by profit motives. This addictive design can keep both children and adults glued to screens, potentially compromising family relationships and social engagement when parents are also absorbed in their devices. 

Children Exploring Online: Online Social Lives

1. Permanent digital reputations

   1. Everything digitized is public and permanent  :  archive.org

   2. Legalities of posting photos of others and posting photos online:

      • Canadian Photography Laws  

      • Your Right to Control Photos and Videos of Yourself 

      • Exploring your rights when strangers take your picture in public 

        
        

2. Effects of screen time on teen mental health:

   1. Decreases in Psychological Well-Being Among American Adolescents After 2012, links to screen time during the rise of smartphone technology, Jan 2018 

   2. Negative impacts of TikTok on teen mental health:

      • 8 Pros and Cons of TikTok On Kids' Mental Health Investigation: Does TikTok have a bad effect on kids’ mental health? 

      • Investigation: Does TikTok have a bad effect on kids’ mental health? 

      • Negative Impact of TikTok on Teens, February 28, 2022