The Impact of Social Media

As a parent or teacher, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the impact of technology on the lives of young people.

When I was a teenager, the biggest distractions were things like ice skating or local discos—not the constant buzz of social media notifications. The world has changed, and today’s students face unique challenges that can feel impossible to manage without support.

The Effects of Technology

Platforms like TikTok are designed to capture and hold attention for as long as possible, creating an addictive pull that many young people find hard to resist. Harvard researchers who worked closely with students for their book Behind Their Screens uncovered something striking: young people are just as worried about the effects of technology as their parents are. Many feel out of control, struggling with issues like lack of sleep, poor focus, and difficulty maintaining boundaries with their devices. I

don’t often recommend books, but I was incredibly impressed by the insight and depth of understanding this book offers about the nuanced and complex challenges students face today. It helped me to understand. I believe this is what our young people need: adults who understand the challenges they face.

The problem is that there are no guardrails for managing technology use, and it’s up to us, as adults, to understand, support and help young people build habits that support their learning rather than hinder it.

Here are some practical ways to help your young person regain control and develop healthier habits:

Create a structured study schedule together: Establish clear time blocks for revision or homework to help them balance academic responsibilities with leisure activities.

Encourage simple strategies to limit distractions:

• Place their phone in another room during study sessions.
• Turn on flight mode or disable notifications to minimise interruptions.
• Use apps or settings to limit time spent on social media.

Set boundaries around phone use at night: Aim for a tech-free bedtime routine to improve sleep quality

Lead by example: Model healthy tech habits yourself to show that it’s possible, and beneficial, to disconnect.

For further reading, I highly recommend the book mentioned above, Behind Their Screens. Written by Harvard researchers, it comprehensively dives into the struggles young people face in managing their tech habits and highlights their shared concerns about attention, sleep, and focus. The book reinforces the idea that young people need adult guidance to develop the skills and establish the boundaries necessary to navigate the digital world effectively.

If you’re one of our families, we offer guidance and tips such as our Study Guide: Managing Tech-Distractions for Today’s Teens, which is packed with practical strategies to help your young person strike a healthier balance between their studies and screen time- just one of the complimentary support services we provide to students taking lessons with us. With the right support, they can regain control, build focus, and achieve their academic potential.

Written by Kae Ormerod,
Company Director.