when it comes to technology and kids, there is one point we wholeheartedly agree on, children need time However, that doesn’t mean offline time isn’t just as important. Don’t just set rules, create structured times when devices are put away, such as before school or during Rather than just instructing their kids to limit screen time, parents and caregivers can demonstrate Instead of focusing on fear-based narratives about screen time, parents and caregivers should focus on

pretend” to real money is often subtle, where players are nudged to buy in-game currency, speed up wait times Over time, this creates a normalized association between sports and gambling, especially in a culture Parents and caregivers must move beyond simply monitoring “screen time” and begin asking what their kids are actually doing with that time. It's time we started treating that with the same level of concern.

That kind of trust-building is far more powerful than any screen-time limit.

Pamela Rutledge explained, while some interpersonal skills did not develop during this time, it was due time use, and other factors. exception—social skills are lower for children who access online gaming and social networking many times Apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Discord provide users with real-time face-to-face interaction, helping approach enables more personalized and tailored communication, fostering stronger connections over time

From advice on managing screen use to the impact of social media on mental health, articles often cite Example A study might find a correlation between increased screen time and mild sleep disturbances. However, an article could spin this as “Screen time causes severe insomnia in kids,” creating unnecessary The next time you come across an article quoting a study but failing to provide a source, take a moment By taking the time to verify sources, question unsupported claims, and seek out reputable research, you

Instead of just limiting screen use, we can encourage screen value. Rather than reacting out of fear or misinformation, parents and caregivers who take the time to understand Not No Tech References 1/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/a-book-review-unlocked-the-real-science-of-screen-time-and-how-to-spend-it-better-by-dr-pete-etchells

blog/why-minimalist-phones-are-better-choices-for-pre-teens-and-younger-teens-right-tech-at-the-right-time

Schools should implement clear policies regarding the use of technology during instructional time while At the same time, parents must be intentional about the devices they choose for their children, prioritizing blog/why-minimalist-phones-are-better-choices-for-pre-teens-and-younger-teens-right-tech-at-the-right-time

At the same time, social media has given youth a powerful platform to lead conversations and drive meaningful The conversation should shift from “how much time are kids spending online?” Consuming hours of mindless content is different from spending time creating something valuable.

On January 9th when  TikTok went dark, sensational headlines began circulating online, claiming that youth across the United States flooded 911 call centres in a panic over a TikTok shutdown. Articles included inflammatory clickbait headline titles such as: “Youth Reportedly Calling 911 in Panic” “Ban Results in 911 Calls Surge as Panic Grips Teens and Children” “These Kids Need to Touch Grass: Internet Reacts as 911 Sees Spike in Calls Over TikTok Ban” “Stop Calling Us! Americans Flood 911 During TikTok Outage” These headlines painted a dramatic picture of young people as addicted, hysterical, and out of control. In fact, some are using these headlines as proof as to the “addictiveness” of TikTok. But, did this flood of 911 calls actually happen? The short answer: No! The headlines appear to stem from a recording shared online of a dispatch call from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department. In the recording, a dispatcher can be heard stating: “Welfare check on a caller, 10 street RP saying they love TikTok and is very incoherent saying he is not an American.” (1) This vague dispatch raises several questions for us: Was the “reporting person” (RP) an adult or a teen? Why were they incoherent? Was the person experiencing a mental health crisis and what was the actual cause, or were drugs or alcohol involved? Was the actual call made to 911 or the non-emergency number These are critical details that were missing from the recording that would actually add context as to the “Why” We also located one other media report, seemingly originating from the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office that was also posted on social media on January 18 (2) We could not prove the content or legitimacy of this call. After conducting an extensive online and media search, we found no other evidence of other police departments reporting an actual flood of 911 calls related to TikTok being down made by teens. Instead, we uncovered several public announcements from law enforcement advising citizens not to call 911 about TikTok outages. However, these announcements appear to have been preemptive measures rather than responses to actual calls. (3) Why issue preemptive announcements? It’s likely based on past experiences. For example, when Facebook went down in 2010, some law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada did receive calls from users asking for help. (4) Anticipating a similar reaction with TikTok, these agencies may have been proactive in addressing the potential issue. The single dispatch call from Anoka County, and the one from Ravalli County Sheriff's Office that we couldn’t confirm,  appears to have been enough to inspire a slew of sensationalized clickbait headlines that implied teens were collectively losing their minds over TikTok and calling 911 all across the U.S. However, this media narrative was not true, and unfairly labels young people as irrational and overly dependent on social media, feeding into stereotypes about youth and technology. As parents, it’s essential to approach stories like this with a critical eye. Sensational headlines often aim to generate clicks rather than present an accurate picture of events. The truth is far less dramatic: while there may have been isolated incidents, there is no evidence to suggest that youth flooded 911 centres in a panic over TikTok going dark - NONE! This incident highlights a broader societal tendency to blame young people for issues tied to technology. Instead of jumping to conclusions, we should focus on fostering healthy discussions with our kids about technology use, emotional resilience, and how to manage unexpected disruptions. The narrative of teens as addicted mindless tech zombies flooding 911 centres over TikTok is not only misleading but also harmful. It perpetuates unfair stereotypes and distracts from meaningful conversations about digital literacy and mental health. (5) As parents, let’s strive to separate fact from fiction and help our kids navigate the digital world with clarity and confidence. PS: It's been our experience that most inappropriate 911 calls are not initiated by teens, rather they are initiated by adults (6) - Just saying! Digital Food For Thought The White Hatter Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech References: 1/ https://x.com/nicksortor/status/1880847233803034650 2/ https://www.resetera.com/threads/january-19-2025-dexerto-emergency-services-receive-calls-from-distraught-tiktok-fans.1086660/ 3/ https://www.ktvu.com/news/tik-tok-users-emotional-roller-coaster-after-app-goes-dark-returns-online 4/ https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/tiktok-restores-service-in-u-s-after-trump-announces-executive-order-229756485603 5/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/does-technology-social-media-mental-health-issues-for-all-youth-we-need-to-reframe-the-question/ 6/ https://infotel.ca/newsitem/bcs-top-ten-absurd-and-inappropriate-911-calls-in-2024/it107638#:~:text=Jesse

Recently, we read the following statement that was published online from an Internet safety presenter, “ Research shows that excessive social media use can significantly impact children's brain development”  Interesting statement when the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, the largest long-term research project on brain development in the US, following over a thousand children for four years says otherwise. (1) The media,  special interest groups, some policymakers, and even some digital literacy and internet safety presenters have sometimes exaggerated the findings of research in this area of brain study, implying that technology use is rewiring children's brains in alarming ways. However, the ABCD study itself does not support such drastic claims. The research is ongoing, and a more balanced perspective is needed when interpreting its results. The conversation about technology and youth often carries an ominous tone, with concerns that these devices are fundamentally altering the brains of young people. Some argue that cellphones are reshaping attention spans, emotional regulation, and even cognitive development. While there is truth to the idea that the human brain is changing in response to everything we do throughout life, this phenomenon is far from unique. In fact, the brain is constantly evolving and adapting based on experiences, a characteristic known as neuroplasticity - there is a great book that explains this very process called, “The Brain That Changes Itself” (2) Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and reorganize itself throughout life in response to experiences. This concept is well-established in neuroscience and can be seen in various stages of human development. For instance, did you know that a mother’s brain undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, with increased activity in regions associated with empathy, emotional regulation, and social cognition. These changes help new mothers bond with their infants and respond to their needs more effectively. (3) Similarly, the brains of bilingual individuals physically change to accommodate multiple languages, developing denser grey matter in areas associated with language processing and executive function (4) , or learning how to juggle can change the brain. (5) Even musicians show structural brain changes, particularly in regions related to auditory processing and motor control. (6) Arguing that “research shows excessive social media use can significantly impact children's brain development” as a reason to restrict youth and teens from using  technology is like saying we should restrict pregnancy, learning a new language, juggling, or learning how to playing a musical instrument because they also significantly impact brain development. However, it is important to acknowledge for those under the age of six, there is research to support that the “overuse” of technology can hinder developing essential self-regulatory skills, leading to more anger, frustration, and poorer effortful control. (7) Given the brain's adaptability, it’s no surprise that the widespread use of technology maybe influencing neural development. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean harm, it simply means adaptation and this is what the ABCD study is looking at specific to what this adaptation means. Technology, like any significant societal shift, are part of an ongoing evolution in how humans interact with the world. The brain has always adapted to new stimuli, whether it be reading, urbanization, or technological advancements. Rather than focusing solely on fear-based narratives, a more balanced approach recognizes both the challenges and opportunities that come with change. As parents and caregivers, understanding neuroplasticity can provide reassurance that change isn’t inherently negative. Instead of viewing technology as an unnatural disruptor of youth brain development, it may be more productive to focus on how we guide and support young people in using technology wisely. Just as we support new mothers, bilingual learners, and musicians in developing their unique skills, we can help our children navigate and benefit from the onlife world in a healthy, informed way. The fear-mongering around social media "rewiring" children's brains oversimplifies a complex issue and ignores the reality of neuroplasticity, our brains are constantly adapting to new experiences, not just technology. The ABCD study, the largest of its kind, does not support alarmist claims that social media is inherently harmful to brain development. Instead of focusing on fear, we should emphasize guidance, education, and balance in how young people engage with technology. Just as we encourage learning new skills, languages, or even musical instruments, each of which reshapes the brain, we should approach digital literacy with the same mindset: as an opportunity to equip youth with the tools to navigate the onlife world in a healthy, informed way. Related article: Digital Food For Thought The White Hatter Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech References: 1/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/does-technology-social-media-mental-health-issues-for-all-youth-we-need-to-reframe-the-question/ 2/ https://www.amazon.ca/Brain-That-Changes-Itself-Frontiers/dp/0143113100 3/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01741-0 4/ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1193283/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com 5/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25542777/ 6/ https://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/10/3019?utm_source=chatgpt.com 7/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/why-parents-should-avoid-using-technology-as-digital-pacifiers-to-calm-young-children/

The instinctual reaction is to ban the app, take or disable the device, or enforce stricter screen use