Navigating online challenges with teenagers

Teenagers, who are technology savvy nowadays are able to obtain plenty of information from the Internet, including getting to know about unscrupulous organisations from social networking websites.

THE Netflix drama series Adolescence has ignited conversations worldwide about the impact of technology and social media on children’s well-being, and the growing challenges ­parents face in monitoring their children’s online presence.

Children born into a world where technology is central to daily life own smartphones and spend hours online. In fact, research shows that compared to adults, adolescents today engage with digital technology far more than the other generations.

Undeniably, digital technology offers various opportunities, including access to educational resources, entertainment and enhanced communication. But it also poses many risks.

First, adolescents can become deeply immersed in the digital world, leading to isolation, reduced face-to-face communication, poor social and interpersonal skills, and family conflicts.

More concerning are online dangers such as cyberbullying, identity theft and scams. These dangers often fuel parents’ anxiety as they struggle to balance freedom and safety in their child’s digital life.

In the final episode of Adolescence, the parents, Eddie and Manda, reflect on their son’s excessive computer use and their inability to control it. Eddie says, “You don’t know what they are watching in their room.”

Most parents today grew up socialising face to face whereas today’s teens tend to build friendships, identities and self-worth online. What parents see as excessive screen time, teens view as essential to their social lives.

Child psychoanalyst Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development explains this well. Known for his theory on psychosocial development of human beings, he described adolescence (ages 12-18) as a fundamental phase in which individuals explore their independence and begin negotiating their rights, including privacy, participation, and self-expression. Naturally, this causes conflict as parents impose boundaries while their children push for autonomy.

So, when managing their children’s online presence, parents should develop a healthier and more balanced approach, as strict monitoring or outright banning of digital devices often backfires.

Shifting their mindset from a policing approach to a partnership approach is an effective strategy. With a partnership approach, parents can establish open and non-judgemental communication, whereby they engage in honest conversations with their teens about their concerns and worries.

This is probably awkward in some households, particularly in Asian families where emotional closeness might feel uncomfortable. But it is important for ­parents to recognise the value of engaging with their children.

Instead of focusing on rules, parents can talk about values, risks and boundaries in the digital world. Together, they can ­create a set of guidelines that balance independence with safety.

By involving children in setting these boundaries, parents increase the likelihood that the rules will be respected and followed. Additionally, parents should practise healthy digital habits themselves to reinforce these agreements.

By shifting from control to collaboration, parents can better empower their children to navigate the digital world responsibly and independently.

FAEZA HASNAN

Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management

Taylor’s University

(The writer is a registered clinical psychologist.)