The Impact of Smart Phones on Kids: A Conversation with Jessica Speer

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, is going to talk to Jessica Speer. She is an award-winning author known for her book "BFF or NRF? Not really friends: A Girl's Guide to Happy Friendships." Her books incorporate interactive elements and tackle social-emotional topics for preteens and teens. Jessica also has a forthcoming book called "The Phone: Stay Safe, be Smart and Make the World Better with That Powerful Device in Your Hand." 

 

Episode Highlights:

• 02:24: Christopher Robbins mentions his wife, who is a teacher. He explains that when she enters the classroom, all the kids have their phones with earbuds in. She is unsure whether they are paying attention, playing games, watching videos, etc.
• 02: Jessica shares that she started writing the book when her kids were preteens. She enjoys researching and exploring the experiences of kids and adolescents. Phones and technology have become prominent aspect of their lives.
• 03:50: Jessica focuses on writing directly to kids because she believes they are intelligent and prefer information in their language.
• 04:05: Jessica discusses the lack of clear guidelines and the need for families to navigate the challenges of introducing smartphones to children.
• 04:33: Christopher shares their family's rule of not getting a phone until college but acknowledges the current frustration of their son.
• 05:10: Jessica talks about the importance of self-control, maturity, and understanding how children use phones differently.
• 05:36: Jessica expresses surprise at the extent of what is still unknown about the impact of phones on kids. She mentions the recent advisory from the US Surgeon General regarding social media and mental health.
• 07:25: Jessica emphasizes the need for more research, guidelines, and support for families in navigating this challenge. She suggests open conversations, staying informed, and making rules that align with the family's values.
• 09:05: Jessica recommends taking time to think, considering the child's developmental stage and safety, and exploring alternative options like simplified communication devices.
• 09:53: Jessica encourages open conversations with children and emphasizes the importance of understanding their desires and concerns. She suggests discussing the available choices and incorporating knowledge about risks and safety.
• 10:01: Consider different options based on what the child truly wants and conclude by emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue and staying informed.
• 10:39: Jessica highlights the importance of ongoing dialogue and honest conversations with children regarding smartphones and their impact.
• 11:45: Christopher expresses interest in how the book helps navigate the issue of distinguishing truth from fiction online.
• 13:53: Jessica mentions sites like factchecker.com and discusses the importance of teaching kids how to identify reliable information.
• 14:18: Jessica emphasizes the need to educate kids about false information for profit.
• 14:57: Jessica introduces the topic of algorithms and their influence on information consumption, mentioning how they can lead to rabbit holes and addictive content.
• 16:01: Kids should be aware of how algorithms work and be proactive in choosing positive content to counteract the negative impact of rabbit holes.
• 16:39: Jessica shares a study called "Change Your Feed" which explores how kids can modify their algorithmic experience by deliberately choosing different content.
• 17:15: Christopher recalls his experience with early texting and learning the meaning of "LOL."
• 17:44: Christopher asks about slang terms used in text messaging and the chapter dedicated to text slang in the book.
• 20:25: Jessica emphasizes the power children have in using technology as a force for good and making the world a better place.

 

 

3 Key Highlights

1. Jessica shares how she decided to write a book that speaks directly to kids and also highlights the deeper, darker side of technology that we kind of learn over time.
2. Jessica highlights the ongoing lack of conclusive evidence regarding phones and the differences in guidelines and laws across countries.
3. Jessica explains the concept of FOMO (fear of missing out) and FOJI (fear of joining in) and how they can affect teenagers in the digital realm.

 

 

Tweetable Quotes

• "Kids are so smart and really like to hear this information directly, so I thought I'm going to try to write a book that speaks directly to them, kind of in their language." - Jessica
• "Phones offer awesome positive stuff, but we also need to address the deeper, darker side of technology that we learn over time." - Jessica
• "During the pandemic, as we got sucked into our phones, it was the perfect time for me to research and understand the evolving landscape of kids and technology." – Jessica
• "Teenagers can potentially manipulate algorithms for fun and amusement." - Christopher

 

 

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
• Familius.com
• JessicaSpeer.com
• Podcast Editing