Systematic family psychotherapist Larisa Nikitina, in a conversation with Rambler, answered the question of whether children should be banned from using social networks.
It was previously reported that France may ban children and teenagers under 15 from using social networks next school year.
It is important to understand how and why children use social media, because, among other things, it is a convenient communication tool. For example, thanks to social networks, children can agree on a time for their group to go for a walk or discuss completing schoolwork. But unfortunately, with the wrong approach, social networks can drag children down and become a “drug” for them, unable to stop. Therefore, the role of parents is very important in this matter. They should monitor the content their children consume online and also pay attention to how much time they spend on the Internet.
Larisa Nikitina Systematic family psychotherapist and sexologist
Children's excessive passion for mobile phones and social networks is often influenced by the behavior of adults, the psychologist noted.
“In many countries, children are banned from using smartphones in schools – they must be brought in at the gate or turned off during school hours. But in our schools, everyone often sits in front of their phones, including teachers. I have seen with my own eyes primary school teachers sitting on their devices and directors of educational institutions making comments to them. In addition, there are families where the parents themselves do not let go of their phones during dinner at the family table. And children, on their own, However, copying the behavior of adults… Often parents themselves put smartphones in their children's hands so that they “fall behind and do not distract them”. But you cannot do that for children. Social networks cannot replace real communication.
At the same time, psychologists do not see the need to ban children from accessing social networks.
“I believe that corresponding restrictions should not be introduced at the legislative level. Monitoring the time the child spends on the Internet and his behavior online is the responsibility of the parents. They can establish parental control themselves because the child's SIM card is registered with the parents. In this matter, it is more correct to negotiate with the child from the beginning, set time limits and not take away the child's phone. Before giving the smartphone to the child, you need to explain to the child what he can do. and cannot do it online. If the child is simply banned from using the Internet and social networks, this will not work; it will only increase his interest. Furthermore, children and teenagers will find ways to circumvent that ban,” she said.
Former psychologist call the age at which children begin to lie.
