Dr. Vivek Murthy has acknowledged the challenges that parents face in today’s digital age, where new technologies are affecting the well-being of their children. He believes that it is not only parents and children who should be responsible for managing these technologies, but also educators, policymakers, and technology companies.
Dr. Murthy recommends waiting until at least after middle school before allowing children to use social media. He suggests reevaluating this decision based on maturity and safety data. For parents whose children are already on social media, he recommends creating tech-free zones to protect sleep, in-person interaction, and physical activity, which are essential for children’s development. This could involve having tech-free meal times together as a family or removing devices an hour before bedtime to ensure quality sleep.
Dr. Murthy emphasizes the importance of parents supporting each other in navigating these challenges. He encourages open communication among parents to reduce feelings of shame and to collectively address the issue of managing technology’s impact on children effectively.
