While lots of parents are concerned by how much time their children waste on gadgets, it might be the symptom, not the illness.
Researcher Keith Hampton challenges the concern over teens' screen time, emphasizing that the real worry should be about adolescents who lack access to the internet, leading to disconnection from peers and potential mental health issues.
Let's find out more.
Gadgets aren't the problem
Hampton highlights that social media, video games, and online interactions contribute to socialization, identity formation, and support for young people.
He studies disconnection, particularly among rural teens with limited internet access due to weak infrastructure.
In a survey of 3,260 rural adolescents, Hampton and the team found that poor self-esteem was associated with factors such as gender (with girls being more affected) and bad academic performance.
Surprisingly, screen time did not significantly impact self-esteem.
Teenagers with relatively poor internet access at home and those whose parents tend to tightly control their media use tend to have lower self-esteem.
However, even excessive screen users also reported higher self-esteem than those disconnected from online sources of socialization and fun.
What to do now
Hampton emphasizes that disconnection arises from being cut off from sources of socialization, not necessarily screen time.
He advises parents to focus on engaging with their teens online, developing critical media skills, and fostering autonomy over media use.
The study underscores the importance of addressing rural broadband gaps and recognizes the role of media in supporting teens' mental health and social well-being.
