Nowadays, from a very young age, children spend an extensive amount of time online. There is a vast amount of information at children’s fingertips and almost limitless learning opportunities that were not possible before the internet became so readily available. However, studies show that by the age of eight, on average, children spend 1.5 hours every day in front of screens. Consequently, they are facing unprecedented pressures and wellness challenges. It is, therefore, paramount for families, schools, and communities to work together, recognising the importance of communication between parents and children and helping the youngsters overcome the challenges of life as ‘digital natives.’
At YCIS Shanghai, we are constantly working to address the interplay between technology and wellness, which is even more pertinent in the current circumstances. Recently, the Head of Technology and School Counsellors from both Pudong and Puxi organised a viewing for parents of the internationally acclaimed documentary ‘Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience’. The film takes a deep dive into how technology interacts with wellbeing and socio-emotional health. Through the voices of experts and young people, the documentary offers strategies and advice for parents to acknowledge their children’s emotions and understand the difference between the technological age their children are growing up in versus their own, different childhoods. This can, in turn, help their children succeed, use technology responsibly, and encourage wellbeing.
Nearly 100 parents and staff attended the event and enthusiastically shared thoughts and ideas after watching the documentary. The parents noted how the event helped them to solidify the importance of children’s mental health. There are times children might isolate themselves emotionally, as they may not possess the knowledge or skills to openly express their feelings, so it is important to maintain open dialogue with young people. The parents recognised the impact the online world can have and the role of communication and empathy in understanding children better.
The importance of emotional awareness and wellbeing has always been at the core of the work we do at YCIS. The viewing was a prompt for more in-depth conversations on how we can work together as a community to mitigate the risks of the online world for children, whilst also continuing to enjoy the benefits digital technology brings. Parent discussion groups have been set up for families to connect and continue these dialogues. Stay tuned for more opportunities to talk about this topic with the school’s experts and other parents! If you are concerned about your child, reach out to the relevant school counsellor through the campus office.
For those parents who missed the school’s special screenings, please click here (https://www.screenagersmovie.com/find-a-screening) to check if Screenagers will be showing near you.