Digital Citizenship

Experts from the American Council on Exercise say games and apps, even those that may not be fitness-focused, can be incorporated in long-term workout regimens. A recent article titled How to Gamify Your Fitness Routine on the US News and World Report Wellness site proposes that apps make fitness more fun, provide incentives to be active, and make exercising more social. They recommend using games or apps that gradually increase the intensity of your workout and urge users to look for variety to keep the physical activity enjoyable.

A study in the Journal of Medicine and Pediatrics found that children who used mobile media devices such as smartphones and tablets at bedtime were more likely to have sleeping difficulties, inadequate sleep time and poor daytime function than those who didn't use such devices. The findings were based on pooled data from 20 studies involving 125,198 children ages 6 to 18, and found that among those who had access to a screen device at bedtime at least three times a week, there was an 88 percent increased risk for not getting enough sleep (defined as at least 10 hours a night for children and nine for adolescents), and a 53 percent increased risk of poor sleep quality. Even having an unused device in the bedroom increased the risk for sleep problems. Although this may all sound alarming, the authors acknowledged the studies had limits. All the data was observational and depended on self-reports, which can be unreliable. Also to be kept in mind is that poor sleep habits in and of themselves can lead to increasing use of devices.

Would your child do better working with a stylus to communicate with their computer or tablet? Peter West, director of e-learning at Saint Stephen's College in Australia writes that research on the subject may point to that notion. For example, recent studies found that students who took hand written notes performed significantly better than those who typed lecture notes. Other research has shown that student performance solving science and math problems improved when using a pen or stylus rather than a keyboard, as well as all around creativity and problem solving. Looking at a stylus ready device is perhaps something to think about when purchasing a new tech device or computer for your children.

A new documentary explores the impact smartphones and other mobile devices are having on teenagers and their social, emotional and psychological lives. “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” examines the effects screen technology has on kids, and offers parents practical solutions that can work. The movie, directed by California-raised, New York-based physician Dr. Delaney Ruston, has played at several film festivals and is screening at schools, churches and community centers across the country.

Do your kids always seem to be digitally distracted? Do you worry what this means for their learning? Some research finds that digital multitasking distracts from learning, but other research shows that some distractions can boost learning.  How can you find a happy medium? Experts on the subject make suggestions for when to use technology in the article How to Deal With Digital Distractions. The advice includes tips on how to  listening to music at a low volume while studying or when to lay off completely, such as writing notes by hand instead of using a laptop.

There may be a connection between childhood obesity and watching television during meals, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Researchers studied videos of dinners for 120 families with children ages 6 to 12 and found that those who eat dinner with the TV on tend to eat less healthy food and to enjoy the meals less than families who leave the TV off. Researchers said that, “Having the TV on during dinner is a distraction which may lead to ‘mindless eating’ including overeating without realizing it.”

USA Today has released a list of 7 things you should never do online. Most of it comes down to common sense like checking sources of information, avoiding over-sharing, and not using the same password for every site, but if you are thinking about syncing your social media accounts so the same message goes out over multiple platforms, you might want to think again. You also may seriously want to get onboard the “two factor authentication” train.  Of course we all know we shouldn’t get into arguments on social media but it can be like a siren’s song. Learn to resist.

Time Magazine is offering a list of the 50 best iPhone and Android apps of the year. For parents and other adults, it is a good way to stay on top of what is current and learn more about the apps your kids are using.

The impact of social media on our lives has been studied for years, but new research finds a major upside: being active on the social networking site is associated with living longer. This association was seen when the site served to maintain and enhance real-world friendships. The authors of the study note that the research was observational and does not prove that Facebook use actually leads to a longer life. However, they say the study shows that the health benefits of strong social connectedness extend to those on the internet.

The amount of screen time children are allowed to have is a topic that has been debated for years, but it might not be as simple as a magic number of hours (or even minutes) . Recently Common Sense Media compiled some case studies and found that discussing children’s media experiences as though they are a monolithic group really doesn’t give a very accurate picture of the younger generation’s use of technology. Their conclusion? Different kids use media for different reasons and it is important for parents and adults to take that into consideration before setting limits.