A Parent's Guide to Smartphones & Social Media: Helping Families Thrive in a Digital World

As a practicing Canadian Family Physician, I began speaking out about the impact that smartphones and social media are having on adolescents after seeing the undeniable impact in my clinical practice.

Following extensive research looking at the positive and negative impacts of these technologies, and speaking with countless educators, parents, and other experts in the field, I've developed this guide to help parents navigate this intimidating topic.

This guide is easy-to-read and straight to the point because I know how busy parents are!

This Guide is for Parents Who:

• Are keen to delay the introduction of smartphones and social media
• Have kids that are begging for a phone, but they aren't sure if they're ready yet
• Feel their child may need a device for safety, but aren't sure which device to choose
• Have just given their child a smartphone and want to make sure the whole family has a positive experience

Through combining research data and clinical experience, here's what you can expect to learn in this guide:

• The current state of youth mental health, and trends over the past two decades
• How mental health trends are being impacted by smartphones, social media and other digital technology
• How Big Tech impacts child safety online
• Why parents are struggling more than ever to manage their child's use of technology
• Healthy technology boundaries within the home that can start at any age!
• Tips to determine when your child may be ready for a smartphone and social media (including lots of context and nuance)
• Tips on how to delay smartphones and social media, including how to talk to your child
• Healthy Boundaries for smartphone use once your child is ready
• Tips for Modelling healthy use of technology

My goal is to present all of this information with compassion and an appreciation for the nuance that exists on any topic relating to mental health.

I hope you will find this guide helpful!