It was a sunny and breezy day in New Hampshire. Summer vacation was in full swing. I just finished my freshman year in high school. Music was blaring from my CD player in my driveway as me and my neighborhood friends were playing basketball. It was mid morning so the humidity was not bad. We were laughing and enjoying time free from school. There was no work to be done. We were just enjoying our time like kids should in the summer. I think about how good I had it growing up in the 90s. The internet was not that mainstream. If kids were surfing it was on the cold water on the seacoast in New Hampshire and not the internet. We didn’t have any of the added pressure that the internet or smartphones causes today. I sometimes wish that my kids grew up in the same type of era I did where the internet was not a factor.
The Toll Of The Added Pressures From The Internet
I really wonder what it would be like for our kids’ generation if the internet was not such a factor that it is today. I know parents struggle with balancing screen time to having them go outside and play. The question of what is the right age for a kid to get a smartphone? Will I rob them of their youth if I get them a phone too soon? What if my child is the last to get a smartphone? Will they get picked on? Those are just the pressures that parents feel. Our kids have a lot more pressure when it comes to smartphones.
Many parents feel as soon as they give their child a smartphone they start to grow up at a faster rate. There was no such thing as FOMO when I was growing up. The only time I felt left out was if I rode my bike past a friend’s house to see a bunch of bikes in the yard. Other than that I had no way of knowing what I was missing out on. There was bullying from time to time in schools that I went to, but now there is cyberbullying. Now kids unfortunately get picked on in person and online. This is an issue that parents are dealing with that past generations did not have to worry about. Sometimes it feels like we are living in the wild west when it comes to tech and parenting.
How To Find A Middle Ground When It Comes To Smartphones
If cyberbullying or FOMO was not enough, kids are not playing outside as our generation did since a smartphone takes up a lot of space in their lives. So instead of being active, kids are having a more sedentary lifestyle. Some kids have their phones in their bedrooms and look at sites that are too mature for them or they were playing games into the wee hours of the night. As parents we want to stay connected to our kids when we are working and they are at school or practice or at a part-time job. We might give them a smartphone because it is our only option.
Thankfully you can find some middle ground when it comes to a smartphone and not having your kids grow up so fast. Troomi is a wireless company that cares about the development of your kids. For Troomi, they feel that prevention is about more than blocking access. Yet, it’s about creating a positive space for children. They have designed a system to guard against harmful content, ensuring every interaction is a safe one.
Creating Healthy Smartphone Habits
They look to create a healthy relationship in the digital age that our kids are living in. They look to create what they call digital wellness. For Troomi it goes beyond restrictions. It is about building resilience and confidence. Troomi offers resources to empower both parents and children to grow in their understanding of digital life. With a Troomi smartphone there are no bullies, predators or other unwanted calls and texts.
Other features include remote text monitoring. This helps parents stay informed on digital conversations. They have content filtering that prevents exposure to harmful language and images. You can set up alerts and notifications to keep you aware of your child’s online activities. Therefore you will have a clear overview of digital usage patterns. There is a mental health dashboard that supports emotional wellness and positive mental health habits. So as you can see Troomi looks to create a world where your child can have a healthy relationship with technology. To learn more go to their website at troomi.com.
Please note: I am working with Troomi on a sponsored campaign. I am receiving payment for my work, but my thoughts are my own.