Social Media and Video Gaming: What should parents be concerned about and what can they do?

Important Takeaways:

• It’s not just kids we should be concerned about
• Parents can support their children in developing intentional and conscientious media use
• Parents can try to take a collaborative approach to minimizing the adverse effects of media on the family as a whole
• Parents should ‘stay plugged’ in to the media their children are consuming
• And, remember social media and video game use is a complex problem

Podcast Timeline:

• Why is it so hard for parents to be the primary gatekeepers or monitors of social media use in their children? (4:40)
• What can parents do to promote healthy social media use? (13:15)
• How can parents encourage kids to monitor the effects that social media is having on them? (17:20)
• How do the effects of playing video games compare to the effects of social media use, and how might kids be more intentional and conscientious of their video game use? (21:30)
• What makes video gaming so engaging for kids and why is it so hard for them to set limits on how much they play? (26:30)
• Why is it important for parents to approach their child’s social media and video game use with empathy and curiosity? (31:30)
• What are some of the adverse effects of video gaming in kids? (36:30)
• How can parents encourage kids to monitor the effects that video games are having on them? (41:15)
• What are some recommended readings if parents want to learn more about the effects of digital media use? (46:45)

This podcast also appeared on Rosscenter.com.

Andreas Miles-Novelo, Ph.D.

Andreas Miles-Novelo, Ph.D. is a faculty in the Media Psychology program at Fielding Graduate University. His research focuses broadly on the external impacts on human behavior, including emerging technologies, media, and climate change. He graduated with his PhD in Psychology and Human-Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. To follow Dr. Miles-Novelo’s work, follow him on twitter @AMilesNovello.

Ryan DeLapp, Ph.D.

Ryan DeLapp, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist here at The Ross Center, and the founder of the REACH Program: Racial, Ethnic and Cultural Healing. Dr. Ryan C.T. DeLapp is a child and adolescent psychologist who treats anxiety, depression, and cultural stress in children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. DeLapp centers treatment around an individual’s values and strengths, and then explores how psychotherapy can support them in learning to navigate any barriers to achieving important life goals. Engaging and compassionate, Dr. DeLapp creates a comfortable setting for patients to share their personal experiences and relates easily to young people.  When working with children, Dr. DeLapp includes parents in consultation and shares strategies so that parents can more effectively support their child. Patients develop greater self-confidence and learn to expand their sense of agency in pursuing their goals and living the life they desire. He helps individuals explore and foster acceptance towards the complexities within their identity, and promotes healing from the cognitive and emotional impacts of stressors within their lives.