Digital Wellness for Teens and Adults | Kai Hersher | Episode 154

Devices and technology are an integral part of our teens’ live (and ours!). They ping and ding, grab our attention, interfere in our sleep, and impact our relationships. Those are the concerns we commonly hear about. But what about the good they do for us? Is it possible to live with technology in a healthy way?  Kai Hersher says yes. Kai joins Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler for a discussion on digital wellness. They discuss the hook model, nomophobia, permission, and communication charters as Kai informs us around the issues and shows us a healthy path forward.

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A Favorite Quote from the Show: 

Our youth want to know the science about technology but don’t want to be told what to do.

High Points From Our Conversation About Digital Wellness for Teens and Families:

To know and not to do is to not know. ~ Stephen Covey

Technology is incredibly useful and can enhance our lives in many ways. We do need to be aware of the pitfalls and understand digital wellness so we can utilize technology in a healthy way.

Technology uses the hook model to train us to use their products. We get trained to follow up a trigger with an action. Hear a ping—check your texts/email/social media.

Nomophobia is the fear of being without your phone. It’s real and is an addiction.

The most important thing parents can do to foster digital wellness in teens is to model healthy tech use.

Statistics:

• 46% of school-age children say their parents are overly dependent on their phones.
• 8.5% of youth are severely nomophobic. 72% are moderately homophobic and 27% are mildly nomophobic.
• 83% of college students sleep with or next to their phone next.
• 1 in 5 people would rather go without shoes for a week than take a break from their phone.

A Tech Siesta is when we take a break from our technology. Just set it down and take time to come into presence and purpose.

The mere presence of a phone inhibits our cognitive ability by 60%. Using charging stations, keeping phones always plugged in, and using detox boxes are all simple ways of managing usage.

Families can make communication charters. Come to an agreement on where and how phones will be used then document it. This is a great way to have a conversation about what your kids consider misuse.

It’s a health risk to have phones next to our beds yet people have a hard time leaving the phone out of the bedroom.

In order to have digital wellness we can practice the yogic principle of aparigraha. This is a reminder not to cling to people or objects because it can make us heavy, weigh us down and hold us back from our own growth.

The practice of letting go is essential for good health and for digital wellness.

Sleep and preparing for sleep is an essential skill.

Changing our teens and twenty somethings behavior isn’t about convincing them. This is about  bringing them into the conversation and modeling digital wellness for them.

Youth use tech positively for civic engagement, learning, self expression, and creativity. It is their common culture. It’s the way they communicate. While there are inherent problems in technology and social media, there’s so much good.

Every family needs to watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix.

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” ~ Henry David Thorough We are living in an attention economy so tech companies are competing for our attention.

One way to foster digital wellness is to practice digital minimalism. This means using technology in a way that aligns with your values and goals. Look at what brings you joy and what you find challenging. Focus your technology use on that which brings you joy.

Resources Mentioned:

Digital Wellness Institute 

Loftie alarm clock 

LookUp.Live Youth-led movement

When You Or Your Teenager Are Always Tired | Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith | Episode 148

Our Guest Kai Hersher:

Karen Rose Hersher (aka “Kai) is the founder of The Siesta™, TECHtations and The Digital Wellness Diet. Kai brings a wealth of experience, evidence based practices and healing arts to elevate productivity, tech-life balance and self-care. Kai identifies as a highly sensitive person and has much experience in digital sensitivity and self-care in the digital age. Her background includes a Masters Business Administration, B.A. Organizational Psychology, Positive Psychology Consultant, Nutrition Consultant, Plant Based Chef , Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Yoga Teacher 500+ hr., Licensed Massage Therapist, Yoga Nidra Teacher, Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher , Oasis In The Overwhelm™ Facilitator, and Digital Wellness Institute Certification Program Teacher.

To learn more or connect with our guest visit https://techsiesta.com 

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