Kids, Teens, and Phones: Safe Practices and Hidden Risks of Growing Up Online

For today’s children and teens, smartphones and the internet aren’t optional, they’re woven into daily life. From staying connected with friends to completing schoolwork, screens are everywhere. But with opportunity comes risk.

Research shows that while digital devices can support learning, creativity, and social connection, they also expose young people to dangers like cyberbullying, sleep disruption, exposure to inappropriate content, and threats to privacy (Livingstone et al., 2017).

The challenge for parents, educators, and mental health professionals is finding the balance: How do we allow kids to reap the benefits of technology while keeping them safe online?

Risks of Phones and Online Presence for Children and Teens

1. Mental Health Concerns

   • Sleep disruption: Using phones before bed is linked to shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality, which in turn affects mood and concentration (Levenson et al., 2017).

   • Anxiety and depression: Heavy social media use is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls (Twenge & Campbell, 2018).

   • Fear of missing out (FOMO): Constant notifications and peer updates can heighten stress and compulsive checking.

2. Exposure to Harmful Content
   Children and teens may encounter violent, sexual, or misleading information before they’re developmentally ready to process it. Early exposure can shape attitudes and behaviors in harmful ways.

3. Cyberbullying
   Unlike traditional bullying, online harassment is constant and inescapable. Victims often experience greater distress because the bullying follows them home (Kowalski et al., 2014).

4. Privacy and Safety Risks
   Teens may overshare personal information without realizing the long-term consequences. Posting photos, locations, or personal details can expose them to predators or identity theft.

5. Addictive Use
   Apps are designed to maximize engagement, making it difficult for young users to set limits. Excessive use is linked to academic struggles, reduced physical activity, and family conflict.

Benefits of Technology When Used Safely

It’s not all bad news. When managed well, phones and online platforms can also support healthy development:

• Connection: For many teens, digital spaces provide vital peer support, especially for those who feel marginalized offline.

• Learning: Access to educational resources, global perspectives, and creative platforms fosters curiosity and skill-building.

• Identity exploration: Adolescents often use online communities to safely explore interests and identities.

The key is not elimination, but moderation and guidance.

Safe Practices for Kids and Teens Online

Parents, educators, and clinicians can promote digital well-being by encouraging these evidence-based practices:

1. Set Tech-Free Times and Zones

   • Bedrooms should be device-free at night to protect sleep.

   • Family meals and homework time are healthier without distractions.

2. Model Healthy Behavior
   Kids learn by watching. Parents who set boundaries for their own screen time send a powerful message.

3. Teach Digital Literacy

   • Help children question what they see online and understand that not everything is true or healthy.

   • Discuss the permanence of digital footprints, what goes online often stays online.

4. Encourage Open Communication

   • Teens are more likely to seek help if they know parents won’t immediately overreact or confiscate devices.

   • Keep conversations ongoing, not one-time lectures.

5. Use Parental Tools Thoughtfully

   • Filters, privacy settings, and screen-time apps can help, but they’re not substitutes for trust and guidance.

6. Balance Online and Offline Life
   Encourage hobbies, sports, outdoor activities, and in-person socializing to prevent overreliance on screens for identity and entertainment.

The Bottom Line

Phones and the internet are not going away. For children and teens, online presence is a central part of growing up in the modern world. But with thoughtful guidance, clear boundaries, and open communication, families can minimize risks while supporting safe, healthy digital engagement.

The goal isn’t to ban technology, it’s to help kids and teens use it in ways that protect their well-being and prepare them for adulthood in a connected world.

References

• Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 1073–1137.

• Levenson, J. C., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, J. B., & Primack, B. A. (2017). The association between social media use and sleep disturbance among young adults. Preventive Medicine, 85, 36–41.

• Livingstone, S., Mascheroni, G., & Staksrud, E. (2017). European research on children’s internet use: Assessing the past and anticipating the future. New Media & Society, 20(3), 1103–1122.

• Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271–283.