Supernanny Jo Frost, the beloved parenting expert, has sounded the alarm about excessive screen time and its potential to breed ‘entitled’ behavior in children. This contentious topic has been a source of concern for parents for years, raising questions about the true impact of social media on child development. Frost, however, believes there are strong reasons to limit screen time and has outlined a series of red flags that indicate a child may be spending too much time online.
In a post on Instagram, Frost, 54, encouraged parents to examine their own screen time habits as well, suggesting that their own actions may contribute to the problem. ‘Maybe you, the adult, have addictive behavioural challenges too,’ she wrote. ‘It is easy to bypass yourself and enable your children. We’ve all done one thing – or many – however, with more awareness we can reduce the distraction and put in more action to change our behaviour.’
Frost’s list of warning signs highlights the potential impact of social media on children’s lives:
*
Traveling:
Inability to sit in a car or on a plane without needing to be occupied by social media.*
Queuing:
Unable to wait their turn without complaining, exhibiting an ‘entitled’ attitude.*
Life Experiences:
Missing out on real-life experiences because social media becomes the primary focus.*
Socialising:
Difficulty interacting face-to-face with peers, feeling ‘awkward’ in social situations.*
Living in the Moment:
Inability to be present in the moment, believing every action must be shared with a large audience.*
Bystander Effect:
Prioritizing capturing an event on camera rather than offering help or assistance.*
Defined by Likes:
Mood swings and behavioral changes driven by the pursuit of social media validation.*
Drama-Seeking:
Calmed down only by being provided with a phone or tablet.*
Sleeping Problems:
Needing a phone at all times and exhibiting obsessive checking behavior.*
Eating:
Requiring the phone on the table or constantly checking it during meals.This warning comes as new research reinforces the growing problem of smartphone addiction among young people. A report from the Education Select Committee found that one in four children use their phones in a way that resembles addiction. Previous studies revealed that 60% of parents believe their children are addicted to smartphones, and 77% say their child gets distracted by devices and fails to pay attention at least a few times a week. A majority of parents are also concerned about the negative impact of their children’s mobile device use on their mental health.
In light of these statistics, the government is considering proposals to ban smartphones for all children under the age of 16. Committee chairman Robin Walker pointed to the ‘extensive damage’ caused by excessive device use among young people, while the Liberal Democrats called for an independent online safety advocate to protect ‘children’s interests’.
While many agree that reducing screen time is crucial, the blame for smartphone addiction is also being directed towards adults. One commenter on Frost’s post, @paradoxzzzsleep, stated, ‘And who do they learn it from? Adults. The problem is in the example we set.’ Another, @allycinperth, wrote, ‘Parents are the problem. They don’t want to parent. We grew up with no computers and phones and we survived. I would enforce it at school and if the parent won’t toe the line then goodbye!!’
In terms of solutions, @harjeetd111 suggested being mindful of phone use in front of children, adding, ‘Knowing life outside of a phone is real life. It is hard, but got to face it to overcome it.’
Jo Frost’s warning serves as a timely reminder for parents to critically examine their own screen time habits and to actively set limits for their children. It highlights the crucial need for open conversations about technology use, healthy boundaries, and the importance of fostering a balanced approach to screen time that allows children to fully engage in real-life experiences.
