How Parents and Teens Can Disconnect From Technology and Recharge This Summer

Summer is upon us! On the brink of the sweetest and shortest season of the year, many of us look forward to enjoying the trips we’ve planned, getting around to the projects we’ve put off, and hopefully, finding a few moments for the rest our bodies (and minds!) so desperately need. It is a time to recharge, reconnect, and recover from our often-overscheduled lives. But we know that a break from school does not necessarily mean a break from the constant grips of technology. While we remember that technology can amplify the good and the bad, it is helpful to consider ways we can recharge our bodies and minds as we disconnect a bit from our devices.

Parents and Kids Tend to Agree on Their Tech Habits

A recent infographic by Common Sense Media – Dealing With Devices: Are We Addicted? – illustrates the parent-teen dynamic in the context of technology (see below). While experts have found that, in extreme cases, internet gaming may cause a brain response that causes feelings of pleasure and reward much like addictive behavior patterns, they have yet to define social media addiction in clinical terms. So “addiction” may be a loaded term, but perception of an addiction speaks more to personal and cultural experience or discomfort in being tied to our devices. Plus, excessive tech use may be inciting fear of missing out (FOMO), which can lead to anxiety, depression, and destructive social comparisons.

Based on a survey of over 600 parents and 600 teens, the infographic compares teens’ and parents’ views on their own and each other’s tech use. Interestingly, parents and teens agreed on a lot!

According to the infographic, about half of teens are social media addicts:

59% of parents say their teens are addicted to their mobile devices
50% of teens say they are addicted to their mobile devices

The same applies to about a third of parents:

27% of parents say they are addicted to their mobile devices
28% of teens say their parents are addicted to their mobile devices

Roughly half of teens are mobile junkies:

59% of parents say their teens are addicted to their mobile devices
50% of teens say they are addicted to their mobile devices

The majority of teens and parents check their phones often:

69% of parents check their devices at least hourly
78% oft teens check their devices at least hourly

The Parent-Teen Dynamic

While most parents and teens did not think that devices were hurting their parent-teen relationship, both groups recognized that devices often interfered with their time together. According to the infographic, at least a few times per week, 77% of parents feel their teens get distracted by devices and don’t pay attention during their time together. Less than half of teens say that their parents get distracted by devices during their time together.

No matter the role that devices play in parent-teen relationships, science shows that reducing our tech intake is good for us. Taking a break from technology can help foster relaxation, mindfulness, and even improved social cognition. According to a 2014 study, when compared with adolescent participants who maintained their usual tech habits, those who went screen-free for a week while at an outdoor camp were much better equipped to recognize nonverbal emotion cues. Although our screen habits may be deeply ingrained, even small amounts of time spent disconnected from technology can help us connect with those around us (in real life). While going screen-free for a week may not be realistic for most kids or parents, there are small steps we can take to manage our tech habits and reclaim our summer break.

4 Ways to Disconnect From Technology and Recharge This Summer

Take a brain break. While summer days may be less scheduled than school days, there’s still a lot going on. No matter what kind of day you might be having, take a “brain break” with mini breath focus exercises throughout the day. Find brief moments — like waiting in the checkout line or even sitting in beach traffic — to put your phone or tablet or laptop down and just breathe. A simple technique is to breathe in and out to slow count: inhale 1-2-3-4, hold; exhale 4-3-2-1.

Have a summer technology contract. Have a family conversation about your rules and regulations for tech use. Setting clear expectations and consequences from the get-go will help keep the peace.

Model behavior. Parents, your kids notice your habits more than you may think! Setting an example of mindful tech use is a great way to influence family habits. Check in with conversation starters like these: “How did you spend your time when your phone was off today? What did you notice?” and “If we all took technology out of the equation what do you think we’d do as a family instead?”

Decide on a Digital Detox. Try designating a specific tech-free time for the whole family. This may be one day per month in the summer, dinnertime, or even a phone-free family trip. Make a commitment to engage with each other sans-devices, whether it’s a matter of days or hours.

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