Media can influence how children and teens feel, learn, think and behave. This is why it’s essential to understand the risks & benefits of digital media use and how to keep them in balance for your family.

Benefits of digital media usage

• Brings information to your fingertips.
• Raise awareness of current events and issues.
• Help students work with others on assignments and projects.
• Keeps people in touch, no matter where they live.

However, overuse of digital media may place your children at risk of:

• Cyberbullying. The internet is full of mean and vile people. As a result, your child can be exposed to such people. Unfortunately, being cyberbullied can lead to negative social, academic, and health issues for the target/victim. This can lead to low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, depression, anger, sadness, loneliness etc.
• Lack of sleep. Media use can interfere with sleep. Lack of screen time limit means that your child has too much media exposure Exposure to light (particularly blue light) and stimulating content from screens can delay or disrupt sleep and have a negative effect on school.
• Obesity. Excessive screen use and having a TV in the bedroom can increase the risk of obesity. Children who sit on TV for hours on end are more likely to have overweight than children who watch for fewer hours. More so, snacking while watching TV can promote obesity.
• Delays in learning & social skills. Being glued to devices all the time may affect a child’s social interactions. Those children may also show delays in attention, thinking, and language skills.
• Negative effect on school performance. Children and teens often use entertainment media at the same time that they’re doing other things, such as homework. Such multitasking can have a negative effect on how well they do in school.
• Behaviour problems. Since most children are still naive, they may copy whatever they see on their devices whether bad or good.
• Problematic internet use. Children who spend too much time using online media can be at risk for a type of additive behaviour called problematic internet use. Heavy video gamers are at risk for Internet gaming disorder. They spend most of their free time online and show less interest in offline or real-life relationships. There may be increased risks for depression at both the high and low ends of Internet use.
• Sexting, loss of privacy & predators. The internet is a dangerous place and if not careful, a child can be exposed to bad things like predators, perverts, and loss of privacy. Teens need to know that once content is shared with others, they may not be able to delete it completely. Kids may also not use privacy settings. Sex offenders may use social networking, chat rooms, e-mail and online games to contact and exploit children.