Episode 16 - Managing Tech with Teenagers with Beth Kerr

In this episode - the third in this mini-series about technology - we delve deeper into the relationship between technology and young people, emphasizing the importance of children's ages when managing their use of social media and phones. Beth Kerr, a teacher by profession and consultant on wellbeing learning and digital habits, joins us. We discuss how understanding the science of the teenage brain and using that knowledge enables adults to protect and guide teenagers. Beth highlights that developing skills, such as managing impulses and resisting the temptation of phone notifications, takes time. We also tackle the recent movement led by Jonathon Haidt, advocating for a ban on mobile phones for under-16s. We debate whether such a ban is sensible and feasible, with Beth providing a critical analysis of Haidt's research. She argues that his solutions, while well-intentioned, are overly simplistic, impractical, and fail to consider the individual needs of young people. This episode is essential listening for parents and teachers, who are navigating the complex world of social media, phones, and teenagers.