Jake--this is SO important! Everyone needs to know this! My kids and I are AuDHD with other health issues, so they do homeschool and I work from home. Like many disabled people, we really heavily on social media for social interaction. My kids, though, were fortunate to have a middle school class on research methods that at least taught them how to judge the reliability of media--but this class was only offered to the gifted kids, when it is ALL kids who need it. But what you're saying here about the effects of algorithms on our nervous system itself goes even deeper than that! Kids need to learn mindfulness, to feel when their emotions are being triggered, and to learn to switch tasks. This is extremely difficult for neurodivergent people, because we get sucked into hyperfocus. But so necessary, too. Thank you.
Thank you for reading & sharing, Sarah. You're right, it impacts us all differently, and kids are in a vulnerable position while using their screens-- having their emotions, thoughts, and nervous systems pulled in many directions. Trying to do my part to highlight what I'm seeing in the therapy room and describe the things I'm helping people work through.
What an insightful article! Thank you. Gives us all a lot of food for thought.
Thank you for reading, it is something I speak about often. I appreciate your support.
Jake--this is SO important! Everyone needs to know this! My kids and I are AuDHD with other health issues, so they do homeschool and I work from home. Like many disabled people, we really heavily on social media for social interaction. My kids, though, were fortunate to have a middle school class on research methods that at least taught them how to judge the reliability of media--but this class was only offered to the gifted kids, when it is ALL kids who need it. But what you're saying here about the effects of algorithms on our nervous system itself goes even deeper than that! Kids need to learn mindfulness, to feel when their emotions are being triggered, and to learn to switch tasks. This is extremely difficult for neurodivergent people, because we get sucked into hyperfocus. But so necessary, too. Thank you.
Thank you for reading & sharing, Sarah. You're right, it impacts us all differently, and kids are in a vulnerable position while using their screens-- having their emotions, thoughts, and nervous systems pulled in many directions. Trying to do my part to highlight what I'm seeing in the therapy room and describe the things I'm helping people work through.