Snapchat addiction; why teens want it so much

Ask Rachel anything

Snapchat has become a must-have for most teens, because it's now the way they stay in touch with their friends. The filters make it fun, they can see where their friends are on Snapmaps, and the instant photos give them a quick and easy contact point.

But one of our listeners has contacted us asking for help with it. She says her teen son was already struggling to control himself when it comes to screens so she's delayed allowing him to have Snapchat, but caved because all of his friends are using it.

Now, she says, he is always on a device and easily finds ways around the controls they have been trying to put in place; primarily to access Snapchat.

Our previous episode on Screens and Teens covers the ways in which you can tackle it. It's not the amount of screen time we should worry most about, it's what they are doing with their screens. 

https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/parenting-tips-9-how-to-help-your-teens-manage-their-screen-time-and-talking-to-them-about-healthy-eating-without-giving-them-an-eating-disorder/

Rachel’s blog post on handing your teen an device:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/mobile-phones-social-media-and-online-access-what-i-would-do-if-i-had-my-teens-or-tweens-again/

Avoiding Tech Addiction - Tips and Tricks taken from Clicks by Natasha Devon.

• Remember you don't have to be on every app; pick the ones you find most fun and useful, and least toxic.
• Disable screen notifications.
• Decide in advance how much time you want to spend playing a game or browsing an app.
• Find ways to create 'space' between the urge and action of scrolling/gaming.
• Set a 'digital sunset' (a time when your phone goes in a drawer/on airplane mode) about an hour before you want to go to sleep.

BLOG POSTS: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/talking-about-snapchat-without-snapping/

https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/mobile-phones-social-media-and-online-access-what-i-would-do-if-i-had-my-teens-or-tweens-again/

BOOKS:
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
Clicks: How to be your best self online by Natasha Devon

RESCOURCES USED:
Legal filing  IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3760&context=historical
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-18/snap-says-it-s-wro

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You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk