Good afternoon. I went to breakfast one time and I sat in the back. I had to get some work done.So, I sat at the rest at the back of the restaurant by myself, all my papers out, and the server seated a family right next to me, right next to me in a big open room. And I just couldn't help but notice it was a family of five. Mom, dad, high schooler, middle schooler, and about a six, sevenyear-old.What I did notice about them was that as soon as they sat down in their chairs, five devices came out. And this fa ...

I want to let you in on a secret. I live two lives. Yes, you heard me right.One is my real life where I go to school, play basketball, and laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. Then there's my other life, my virtual life. Here, I check my notifications.I send silly pictures and memes and wait to see if someone has liked or seen what I shared. In my real life, I can actually high-five my friend after a basketball game and still feel the sting in my palm. I can hear the cheer of my teammates when I score a poi ...

That was just 8 seconds of your time. Short, I know. But did you know that 8 seconds is the average attention span for Gen Z.For baby boomers, it's 20. And for millennials, it's 12. Now, I'm sure we all have an idea on what to blame for this dramatic decrease that happened in only 66 years.Technology, addiction, and consumable media, better known as our culprit. Let me take you back to three summers ago. All my friends had phones, and I wanted to be included.So, as any kid would, I begged my parents for one ...

Risks in the Digital World - The internet has evolved from a novelty to an integral part of daily life, impacting connection, learning, and interaction [2] - Children face risks like privacy breaches, inappropriate content (including dangerous trends), cyberbullying, and online predators [6][9][13][15] - Seemingly innocent information shared online can pose risks to children's safety [8][9] - Cyberbullying can have severe emotional and mental impacts on children, leading to fear, depression, and anxiety [14] - Online predators pose a real danger by using deceptive tactics to exploit and groom children [15][16] Strategies for Safe Online Engagement - Setting boundaries for screen time, content, and personal information sharing is crucial [5][17] - Educating children about online safety, privacy controls, and kindness is essential [18][19] - Fostering open communication allows children to discuss both positive and negative online experiences [20] - Supervising children's online activities and engaging with them online can create shared moments and understanding [20][21] Positive Aspects of the Internet - The internet offers opportunities for learning new skills, connecting with family and friends, accessing healthcare and mental health resources, and pursuing career opportunities [22] - The internet provides children with opportunities for learning and growth, such as learning algorithms or musical instruments [23][24] - Balance is key to navigating the digital world safely and healthily [25]

Mental Health Crisis - Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24 in the United States [1] - Poor mental health is a significant problem, but solutions are available [1] Factors Contributing to Declining Mental Health - Excessive screen time distracts and lowers self-esteem [3] - Unhealthy diets of junk food negatively impact the gut-brain connection, studied in nutritional psychiatry [4] - Daily challenges, though seemingly small, compound over time and negatively affect mental health [5] Impact of Technology - Teenagers spend an average of 6 to 8 hours per day on devices for leisure [6] - Excessive device usage correlates with increased stress, depression, and anxiety [7] - Smartphones, with their combination of camera, internet, and social media, can negatively impact mental health [7] Mitigation Strategies - Meditation can be used as a tool to improve mental health [8][14] - Meditation cultivates patience, focus, and mindfulness [11] - Mindfulness skills learned through meditation can lead to a calmer mind, improved concentration, and a solid foundation for good mental health [12][13]