I know a family with teenagers that helped this by only allowing each kid a phone without social media at first, when the kid was in eighth grade or so. And after a year they could use social media on the phone. Also, after a certain time every night they insisted everyone in the family put their phones at the charging station in the kitchen. So at least no late night social media. So they had phones they just couldn't use them for social media purposes nearly as much and not until a later age.
This would take discipline but it did seem like their kids were less phone dependent and social when I've talked to them.
The more articles I read about the effects of social media in mental health the more I agree with an approach like this.
I think social media can be very dangerous specially because of its pushy, 'not looking harmful at first' and ostracizing nature towards those who aren't on X or Y which is the perfect bait for younger demographics. Just like when you're trying to stop drinking but it's morally acceptable for friends to insist you go drinking.
I'm a late night doom scroller myself and I need to become more disciplined..
> after a certain time every night they insisted everyone in the family put their phones at the charging station
This is really great advice for anyone of any age. My sleep has improved a lot since I started leaving my phone downstairs while I sleep. (Bedroom is upstairs)
Instead of reading hacker news late at night, I might read a book or talk to my wife. Instead of waking up to my phone’s alarm, I wake up to an analog clock’s alarm. I have no notifications to review until I’m ready and go downstairs.
The kitchen thing is quite popular and seems to work wonders for peers as a well, knowing that a good chunk of the classroom will be offline after 9PM.
This would take discipline but it did seem like their kids were less phone dependent and social when I've talked to them.