13/05/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | MAY 13, 2025

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In today’s world, helping teens learn how to navigate digital content is just as essential as teaching them about good nutrition or physical activity. – 123RFPIC

o Guide for parents of teens on appropriate online content Healthy video viewing

S CREEN time is an ongoing discussion for families, schools and governments around the world. To help parents navigate this potential minefield, YouTube and the American Psychological Association (APA) released a new parent guide, with evidence-based recommendations to support teens’ healthy video-viewing habits. This collaboration aims to make expert-backed insights more accessible to parents and caregivers navigating the realities of raising teens in a digital world. YouTube Health director and head Dr Garth Graham shared with theSun some pertinent expert advice on the topic: consuming content online, and especially from influencers these days. Why do you think influencer content resonates so strongly with them? That is a great observation. Research compiled by an APA expert panel of child psychologists and specialists indicates that during adolescence, teens are especially attuned to social connection and peer influence. Their brains are wired to respond strongly to social cues, so it is no surprise that influencers – who often present themselves as relatable peers – hold a lot of sway. Some influencers produce valuable content around topics such as mental health, self expression or social causes, and that can have a positive impact. But it is also important to remember that much of what teens see online is highly curated. What looks like a glimpse into someone’s More teens are

more nuanced ways of thinking. What the research tells us is this: the message matters more than the medium. It suggests that the type of content teens watch is more important than how they watch it, regardless of whether it is a long form or short-form video, or if it is viewed on a phone or television. For parents, it is important to understand the content itself, not just tracking which app or device is being used. One of the best things parents can do is approach the topic with genuine interest. Ask open-ended, curious questions such as “What do you enjoy about this video?” or “How does this content make you feel?” Ask your teen what they like about a particular influencer. Talk about how influencers build their audience and what goes into producing that kind of content. These discussions open the door to building critical thinking skills, especially when it comes to recognising sponsored content or unrealistic portrayals of life. Then, work together to come up with ways to evaluate content more thoughtfully. Teens are much more receptive to these conversations when they feel heard, not judged. It is not about banning content – it is about building awareness. There is also a lot of debate around screen time itself. Should parents be setting strict limits? It is understandable that screen time is a big concern for many parents. While avoiding excessive use is definitely important, current

Instead of framing screen time as something to simply restrict, we encourage families to approach it collaboratively. That might sound like “I’m trying to be more mindful of how I spend time online – do you want to help me figure out the settings together?” Or, “We all face challenges when it comes to managing screen time. Let’s figure out what works best for both of us.” What is your message to parents who are trying to support their teens in building healthier digital habits? Research indicates that one of the most impactful things adults can do is to be a digital role model. In today’s world, helping teens learn how to navigate digital content is just as essential as teaching them about good nutrition or physical activity. It is a key part of their development. There are a few critical areas where teens really benefit from adult guidance – things like understanding how AI-generated content can shape what they see, learning how to identify reliable sources, and recognising advertising and sponsored content, especially when it is coming from influencers they admire. But beyond the technical side, what truly makes a difference is the tone of the conversation. Teens are more likely to engage when adults approach with curiosity, not criticism. We have also partnered with Common Sense Networks to create a Family Guide to Teen Content Creation, offering ideas and conversation starters to make these discussions easier.

real life is often filtered, edited and sometimes even sponsored – something that is not always obvious at first glance. An insight from YouTube’s Youth and Families Advisory Committee – a team of experts specialising in child development, digital learning, children’s media and more – is that teens are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves when seeing repeated messages about ideal standards in content they consume online. These insights led us to develop additional safeguards for content recommendations, while still allowing teens to explore the topics they love. Working with the Advisory Committee, we identified categories of content that may be innocuous as a single video, but could be problematic for some teens if viewed repetitively, and limit repeated recommendations of videos related to those topics for teens. It is important that parents recognise the impact of content consumption on teens at different developmental stages. How should parents start conversations with their teens about the content they are consuming online? Teens benefit from watching content that promotes empathy, optimism, strong interpersonal relationships and communication, no matter the medium. In fact, the right content can have a positive impact on young people, potentially helping teens form stronger social bonds, explore interests and hobbies, and develop

research does not support hard age based cutoffs or fixed time limits for teens. Adolescence is a gradual transition, and not all young people go through the same experiences or changes at the same time. Every teen is unique in their predispositions, sensitivities, and responses. It is also normal for teens to be afforded increasing autonomy and less oversight over time. What really matters is ensuring screen time does not disrupt key aspects of teen development, such as getting enough sleep, staying physically active, spending time on hobbies and having in-person social interactions. In addition to establishing family screen time ground rules, tools such as Take a Break and Bedtime reminders empower teens to manage their time online. On YouTube, Take a Break reminders are turned on every 60 minutes by default for viewers under 18, but can be adjusted in settings. What is also clear from research is that teens learn a lot by observing their parents’ behaviour. If adults are open about their own efforts to manage screen time, it can turn into a shared learning experience, rather than a top-down rule. Conversations become much more effective when there is consistency between what parents say and what they model. Consistency between what you say and do matters more than perfection. Being open about your own efforts to maintain healthy viewing habits can make conversations about digital wellness more authentic and effective.