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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1234839
usage; don't give the younger kids (Gen Alphas) total control over their devices; and don't allow the devices to be charged or stored in their bedroom. Your kids, your rules might vary. If it's any consolation, there's no right answer; just a lot of theories, studies, advice. As the ownership/usage of screens – especially smartphones– spreads across the globe, there are many organizations that view the lack of mobile devices or the ability to share one with others is holding people back, especially in emerging countries (https:// pewrsr.ch/2OdF09b). It's true. Global access to data, information and educational content needs to be made available to help these people actively participate in today's advancing world. But we're talking about children / young adult s in indus trialized countries. You know, guys/gals who told Pew Research that they have access to a smartphone (95 percent) and are on the internet almost constantly (45 percent). So how do they use this vital communications tool? • 90 percent use their smartphone just to pass the time • 43 percent use their phone to avoid interacting with people • 54 percent of teen girls use it to avoid social interaction, 31 percent of boys While millennial parents sweat bullets trying to figure out how they can best manage their kids' screen time, maybe they should simply ask them. Pew Research found that roughly half of the teenagers inter viewed worried they were spending too much time on their phones (https:// pewrsr.ch/2KMwWuf ). A lot of them said they saw how much the devices were affecting their parents and well… Seventy-two percent said they continuously check for messages. Many said the first thing they did when waking was grabbing the phone and four-in-ten said they were anxious when they didn't have their phone with them. Fifty-six percent said the absence of their phone made them lonely, upset, anxious. Feel familiar? 53 percent of the teens who said they spend too much time on their phones cut back while 55 percent who said they spent the right amount or too little time with their devices did try to limit their phone usage. Girls often said they spent too much time on social media (47 percent vs. 35 percent) while boys were 4X more likely to spend too much time playing video games (41 percent vs. 11 percent). Surprisingly, 17 percent said they were relieved/ happy when their phones weren't around. Those youngsters/teens who watched adults struggle with their phone addiction probably thought to themselves (without saying it out loud) exactly what The Tramp said, "Awkward ass." Maybe because they were born into a device-connected world, they can also take it or leave it!