Support for a social media ban for under 16s in the UK is growing quickly - Sandeep Louse suggests Christian parents get ready for it now
It’s been just over a month since Australia introduced a social media ban for young people aged under 16. The ban was introduced to improve mental health, reduce cyberbullying and reduce exposure to harmful content (like eating disorder/suicide promotion), as well as encourage offline activities. Early reports show teens engaging more with family, exercise and hobbies, and shielding from graphic events however, research over time will tell how beneficial it actually is.
Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has not ruled out banning British under-16-year-olds from social media
The Australian ban has sparked more conversations across the world with now our UK Government bringing this social media ban conversation into mainstream political circles. Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has not ruled out banning British under-16-year-olds from social media saying “all options are on the table”. Opposition leader Kemi Badanoch has stated she is in favour of a social media ban to help young people be protected from harmful content online from adults.
There are also lots of social commentators calling for a ban as well as online campaigns. So, if a ban might happen in the UK how can you prepare your teenager to get to grips with life without social media? Here’s four steps you can take now.
1. Reduce screen time now for your teenager
Like with any changes, we all react differently. Usually, the best form of protection and healthiest way to cope with change is to see it coming and face it head on so it’s not such a shock to the system. One way you can prepare your teenager is to begin reducing their screen time and use of social media from now so that they are prepared to deal with the potential changes in how they socialise with friends, but also the changes in their day-to-day routines.
Reducing their online activity can provide them preparation to a full-scale ban
If your teenager is waking up and using their phones and going to bed using their phones, this is the first big change you can make now to prepare them. Studies have already shown that phone use before bed adversely affects sleep for teens. This is crucial - studies show that adolescent bodies need more sleep to help regulate the rate of development and changes in their bodies and hormones during puberty.
Reducing their online activity can provide them preparation to a full-scale ban whilst also positively helping with their development at their adolescent age.
2. Introduce life-style changes to compensate for reduced dopamine hits
Big tech companies rely on the addictive nature of smartphones and social media apps to keep their products selling. They ensure there are always new features, new updates and new models to keep the a toxic belief (let’s call it what it is: a lie) of the continual need for more and the next new thing.
Studies have shown that the use of social media in teenagers alters brain chemistry and cerates pathways which are parallel to traits of people with addiction. This is linked to chemical known as ‘dopamine hits’ and elements of social media are designed specifically to spark these hits in their users. Features such as notifications, likes and comments are the biggest features to provide a temporary sense of fulfilment and importance.
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With a social media ban there will be a hormonal void in those who excessively use these platforms. Young people will be looking to fulfil this felt need through other means.
This is where it is key to begin or continue to introduce lifestyle changes which can provide a ‘dopamine hit’ in a healthy way. One way is through exercise. This is a fantastic way to get your teenager active physically and to get the ‘happy feeling’ pumping through their bodies. This might be through exercise hobbies such as running, walking, hiking, joining a local gym club or joining a sports club.
in a Christian environment, they can also find their faith and purpose in who they are created to be too
3. Encourage social in-person activities for your teenager
A way to prepare your teenager for the change online, is to encourage in person socialising at home, or at friends’ houses to create community that they may feel they are missing out on without social media.
Another way to encourage social in-person activities for your teenager is to encourage them to join a youth club. Youth clubs are proven to help teenagers grow in social skills, and this helps their development into adulthood. Friendships can be built, life skills can be grown and if in a Christian environment, they can also find their faith and purpose in who they are created to be too. This is a great way to help your teenager develop and thrive in an environment with likeminded community.
4. Model the help you give and suggest
The best way you can begin to implement these changes for your teenager is to be also modelling the changes you want to see. This is the best way to show support and solidarity of something which will impact your teenager in a way that we - who have never been a teenager in the age of social media - may never understand.
make the changes too so you can journey together
Your upbringing is going to be different to your teenagers in relation to technology and though this may not seem a big deal to you, this change – if it comes – may rock your teenager’s world (both socially and emotionally). Empathy, understanding and good communication are key components to journey this through with your teenager instead of side-lining or ignoring warning signs and having to then work backwards to reverse the effects rather than preparing ahead for the change to face it together and not alone.
So, whether it is detoxing from your social media to reduce screen time, joining your teenager in exercising, or making a sacrifice to drop off your teenager to youth on a Friday night, make the changes too so you can journey together and be best prepared for potential of change that might be coming.
