Interview: Jonathan Morrow – Navigating Screen Time and Social Media
Mar 12, 2025
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Jonathan Morrow, Director of Cultural Engagement at Impact 360 Institute and creator of the Refresh Roadmap course, shares insightful strategies for parents navigating their kids' screen time and social media. He emphasizes the crucial need for proactive involvement in managing technology use and discusses alarming statistics on its impact on mental health. Morrow also offers practical advice for establishing healthy boundaries, monitoring social media interactions, and the importance of equipping children for a digital world.
Parents must establish healthy screen time boundaries to combat the addictive nature of digital devices and promote mental well-being.
Implementing strategies like removing screens from bedrooms and setting app limits can help foster mindful technology usage in children.
Having intentional conversations about social media usage allows parents to guide their children effectively while reinforcing family values and boundaries.
Deep dives
The Ubiquity of Screens in Modern Life
Screens, including smartphones and tablets, are present in nearly every aspect of daily life for children and teenagers, leading to significant challenges in parental management. Statistics reveal that a large percentage of young children now own smartphones, with 31% of eight-year-olds and 91% of fourteen-year-olds reporting ownership. This widespread access is creating environments where kids are glued to screens, resulting in feelings of loneliness, distraction, and anxiety. Parents often feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate this digital landscape, making it crucial to establish healthy screen time boundaries.
The Need for Counter-Cultural Approaches
To combat the negative effects of screen time, parents must take a counter-cultural stance, resisting the norm of providing unlimited access without guidelines. There's a growing understanding that the current culture's solution to managing children's needs often involves screens and, in some cases, medication to address issues caused by excessive screen use. As screens are designed to be addictive, parents are encouraged to create structured limits around their children's screen time and involvement with social media. By establishing a family plan, parents can create a healthier environment that prioritizes mental well-being rather than conformity to societal norms.
Establishing Effective Screen Time Limits
Three key strategies for managing screen time effectively include removing screens from bedrooms, setting app limits, and disabling notifications. By requiring devices to be charged outside of bedrooms, children can prioritize sleep and reduce the temptation to use screens late at night. In addition, implementing time limits for specific apps encourages mindful usage and discourages excessive scrolling and detachment from reality. Disabling notifications reduces distractions, helping children remain present and connected with their immediate environment.
Engaging Children in Meaningful Conversations
When introducing children to social media, parents should engage in meaningful conversations about its purpose and limits. Important questions include why a child desires social media and which specific apps they wish to use, emphasizing the need for intentionality in their online presence. By encouraging children to articulate their thoughts and motivations, parents foster an environment where they can guide their children through the challenges of social media while reinforcing their values. Setting limits on app usage also aids in creating boundaries that protect children from negative impacts of the digital world.
Adapting to an Ever-Changing Digital Landscape
As digital technology continues to evolve, parents must adapt their strategies for guiding their children through social media and screen usage. The significance of understanding the modern devices and platforms that children encounter cannot be overstated, as many parents may feel ill-equipped to navigate this complex landscape. It's vital for parents to develop clear guidelines and engage with their children about the importance of using technology responsibly. A family reset may even be necessary for those who feel they have lost control, presenting an opportunity for open discussions about mental health and constructive device usage.
Greg talks to Jonathan Morrow, creator of the Refresh Roadmap online course, about strategies to help parents navigate screen time and social media with their kids.
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Interview: Jonathan Morrow, creator of the Refresh Roadmap course, on navigating screen time and social media with your kids (00:00)
