Experts Andy Robertson and Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov discuss the importance of helping teens balance online and offline activities.
See their tips to help young people make the most of their downtime.
The key to supporting teenagers in this evolving social world is to value both online and offline activities. Both these interactions are as real and valuable as each other.
In both online and offline areas, it can help to find ways to interact in various ways. Of course, offline interactions are more familiar and feel safer, but parents and guardians have a key role in guiding online interactions as well.
Video game interactions can offer a less confrontational space than social media because the shared play and video game world create a sense of mission and camaraderie.
Games like Sea of Thieves, for example, encourage teens to take on ambitious missions with friends and communicate clearly to complete them.
Other games, like Farm Together, offer ways to mark out what is shared space and what is restricted. This can help set boundaries.
Finally, there are many games that can inspire interest or aspiration in a real-world social activity. This list of Video Games About Gardening is a great place to start, but you can find games about any theme you are interested in developing.
Explore Internet Matters’ guide to skill-building apps for more ideas.
Socialising online and offline offers teens the opportunity to stay connected and to enjoy so many rites of passage that teens around the world experience.
But, like everything, too much of a good thing can have unexpected effects. As such, teens should find balance in both online activities and offline activities to support positive wellbeing.
Parents can support their teens by offering ideas on balance and wellbeing while also leading by example.
Some ideas for parents to try:
And as always, keep those conversations going.
See more articles and resources to help children stay safe online.