If you bought your kid a cell phone for Christmas, you may want to skip the above video. It will only confirm what you already know: that you probably should have held out a bit longer.
Katherine Martinko is a journalist and mother of three — and the author of a new book, Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance.
During a recent appearance on Village Media's Inside the Village podcast, Martinko explained why she still won't let her 14-year-old son have his own cell phone.
"The biggest fact that bothers me is just the sheer amount of time that kids are spending on screens," Martinko said. "We're looking at averages between five-and-half to eight hours and 39 minutes a day that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 are spending on their phones...What are they not doing because they're spending all that time on devices?"
You can watch the full episode HERE. Merry Christmas.
Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.
Every episode is available HERE. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.
Have something to say? You can reach us at [email protected].
.svg)
.svg)
