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

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

parents, such as parental control apps, monitoring software, phone control/ blocking products, and screen-use

parents and caregivers, we often hear about the potential downsides of allowing technology into family time After the meal, talk about what you enjoyed, what you learned, and how you might adapt the recipe next time The next time you hear someone criticize technology’s role in family life, remember this - it’s not the

numeracy skills are best developed through hands-on, focused learning without the distractions that screens Screens are an inevitable part of modern life, and education cannot be disconnected from the onlife world The mistake is not in using screens but in integrating them into learning without careful consideration balanced approach—one that acknowledges both the benefits and the potential drawbacks of excessive screen Tech References: 1/ https://www.government.se/articles/2024/02/government-investing-in-more-reading-time-and-less-screen-time

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery, and digital platforms allow young people to maintain friendships

“No, I don’t want you spending so much time on social media.” When we take the time to understand their onlife world and participate in it, we show respect for their Yes, there will be times that we will have to say "no", and our kids aren't going to like that, but that Take the time to celebrate your child’s digital accomplishments. Will there be times that as a parent or caregiver you will have to say no? - ABSOLUTELY!

This is something we hear from youth and teen all the time here at the White Hatter.

stated: "The data is clear, the earlier we give a child a smartphone and social media, and the more time The Reality of Teen Suicide Rates Contrary to the claim that increased screen time and social media leads time among youth and teens directly caused higher suicide rates, we would expect a steady rise over time rather than a decline in youth and teen suicide given the increase use of cellphones over the years If the assertion that the more time youth and teens spend on screens, the more likely they are to experience

Caveat - It is increasingly common for parents, caregivers, and educators who follow us to reach out with questions about statements they've heard from others regarding technology and social media use. This article was inspired by one such parent who recently shared that a presenter claimed, with no research citation to support their statement, "youth phone addiction can lead to substance addiction.” Parents and caregivers are constantly bombarded with warnings about the dangers of excessive cellphone use among youth - some are legit, but many others are nothing more than a moral panic. Some claim that what is often described as "addictive cellphone use" is a gateway to more serious addictions, including drug and alcohol addiction. But what does the research actually say? To be very clear, there is no direct causal link between problematic cellphone use causing drug addiction - NONE! Current scientific literature does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between excessive cellphone use and subsequent drug addiction. While some studies have found “some” correlations between problematic technology use and substance use disorders, correlation does not equal causation. (1) However, what the research does emphasize - shared vulnerabilities, such as impulsivity and poor emotional regulation, may contribute to both excessive technology use and substance abuse, rather than one causing the other. (2) What the research does suggest, individuals with addictive tendencies may engage in multiple compulsive behaviours, including excessive cellphone use and substance abuse. However, rather than viewing one as the cause of the other, experts encourage looking at underlying risk factors such as childhood trauma, poor impulse control, or co-occurring mental health disorders. While it is important to monitor excessive technology use and encourage balance, current research does not support the claim that problematic cellphone use directly leads to drug addiction. Rather than relying on fear-based narratives, parents should focus on evidence-based approaches to foster digital wellness and overall well-being in their children. To recap, the claim that excessive cellphone use leads to drug addiction is not supported by the good evidence-based research. While some studies indicate correlations between problematic technology use and substance abuse, correlation does not imply causation. Instead of viewing cellphone use as a direct gateway to drug addiction, experts emphasize the importance of addressing shared vulnerabilities such as impulsivity, poor emotional regulation, childhood trauma, and co-occurring mental health disorders. For parents and caregivers, distinguishing between correlation and causation is crucial. When others overstate the dangers of cellphone use, it can lead to unnecessary fear, diverting attention from more significant risk factors associated with substance abuse. Rather than adopting fear-based narratives, a more effective approach is to promote digital wellness, healthy coping mechanisms, and open communication about responsible technology use. Encouraging balance and supporting children's emotional and mental well-being will be far more beneficial than falsely equating problematic cellphone use as a gateway to substance addiction. 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://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/5/919 2/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28182139/

It’s Not About Screen Time, It’s About The Type Of Screen Activity! time?” Just as important, it reserves time for offline activities, too. time starts) Outdoor activities, hobbies, or family outings Creative play, music, sports, or just relaxing Most importantly, starting having this conversation before the summer break begins, the time is now to

Maybe you've seen a viral image, a sea of glowing screens held high at a concert, a stadium full of fans with some version of, "People aren’t living in the moment anymore; they’re watching life through a screen But the notion that they’re glued to their screens for the entire experience simply doesn’t hold up -