Boredom isn't a good enough reason for unlimited screen time
Embracing boredom helped this young girl discover hidden talents she never would have found if she hadn’t taken the time to be still and present.
Among all the global challenges we’ve faced, there's one that youngsters often declare as the worst of them all: boredom.
Ask any parent if they have time to be bored, and you're likely to get a laugh. Boredom has become a source of anxiety for many parents who feel the constant pressure to solve all their children's problems.
However, this urge to fix everything is something we need to let go of – for the sake of both our children and ourselves.
Too often, parents give in to screen time requests simply to quiet the nagging. But as a community, we need to stand together and embrace boredom as a healthy and necessary part of life.
A study conducted by Stellenbosch University surveyed 2,195 adolescents, 2,264 parents, and 203 teachers, who shared their smartphone usage patterns.
Researchers found that nearly all adolescents own smartphones, and on average, they spend 197 minutes (three hours and 17 minutes) per day on their devices.
Girls tend to use their phones more, averaging 219 minutes (three hours and 39 minutes) per day, compared to boys who average 176 minutes (two hours and 56 minutes).
The most popular social media platforms among teens are WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Girls engage with social media more than boys, with over 12% of girls reporting they check these platforms constantly.
Boys, on the other hand, spend more time playing online games on their phones.
It’s a harsh truth that despite the increase in smartphone usage among teenagers, many parents do not regulate or limit their children's screen time.
While the use of smartphones in classrooms is often justified by the need for educational apps, many teachers stress that this doesn’t mean students should have unrestricted access. Students should ask for permission before using their phones in class.
This brings us to an insightful video of a young girl expressing frustration when her mother encouraged her to embrace her boredom.
She was adamant that nothing could cure her boredom, but over time, she began to see how allowing herself to be bored sparked creativity and led to fun, engaging activities.
Watch the video below – courtesy of Instagram.
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Image courtesy of iStock