Homework vs. Social Media: Unplugging Your Teen

Getting kids and teens to do homework has been a battle for most parents since the first school bells rang. The problem is that these days, a history or math lesson can’t compete with the gravitational pull of social media and 24/7 access to stimulating content. Our kids are distracted and grades are slipping – how can we keep our kids on task? 

Getting kids and teens to do homework has been a battle for most parents since the first school bells rang. The problem is that these days, a history or math lesson can’t compete with the gravitational pull of social media and 24/7 access to stimulating content. Our kids are distracted and grades are slipping – how can we keep our kids on task?

Getting kids and teens to do homework has been a battle for most parents since the first school bells rang. The problem is that these days, a history or math lesson can’t compete with the gravitational pull of social media and 24/7 access to stimulating content. Our kids are distracted and grades are slipping – how can we keep our kids on task? 

Twitter vs. Trigonometry

A study at Stanford found that our kids are quite adept at controlling multiple devices simultaneously, but the study also revealed their brains are competing for the most interesting stimulation. Does trig stand a chance against Twitter or Snapchat?

Tween and teens are obsessed with their friends. When we were teens, we may have passed the occasional note, but we usually waited to chat ‘til lunch break or rushed to get home to talk on the phone. Today, it’s so easy to stay in constant communication by snapping pics in Snapchat or updating a status on Twitter…not to mention text messaging! And thanks to everything being instant, teens are compelled to respond immediately to peers hitting them up.

The Truth Behind Homework Avoidance

Social media, video games, and texting aren’t the only reasons our kids avoid homework. Some things never change – like how boring homework can be. Surely, you remember some classes had curriculum that was an absolute snooze fest. If you have freshmen, they’re getting a rude awakening on how hard school is compared to the days of middle school.

Fear of failure can be terrifying for kids who rests on the side of perfectionism – in their mind, it’s better for them to drag their feet and not to their homework at all, than to actually try and still not get it. On the other hand, some kids avoid homework because they’re already behind, and catching up is a daunting process. Keep close tabs on progress reports. Email the teacher with concerns, and attend parent-teacher conferences.

Don’t Feed the Addiction

Common Sense Media conducted a study that showed teens spend an average of 9 hours a day with media. Though most kids study and use a few devices at the same time, isn’t doesn’t bode well for successfully accomplishing homework. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that productivity takes a 40% nose dive when subjects tried to do two or more things at once.

We need to help our kids develop self-discipline. They’ll need to have that when they’re on their own without your rules, as they begin college and enter the workplace. This may seem like a huge buzz kill for their social life, and there may be slamming of doors and “I can’t live like this!” statements, but that’s okay. Future college graduation and employment depends on developing this self-discipline now.

Strategies for Unplugging and Studying

Middle School Kids

If your child is in fifth grade or up to eighth grade, it will be easier to make some rules. Set up times when they can use their phone and/or other devices. Extra video game time with friends or a ticket for a movie after homework and studying are good incentives for tweens.

Some kids like to hit the books right when they get home, while others like to chill for a bit. Let’s say your kids like to get it done right away– they can turn their phone off till 6:00 PM,  then turn it back on at 8:30 to catch up with friends for an hour before bedtime. If they’re using an iPad or laptop, set up a central place in your home that’s cozy and comfy where you can check to see if they’re playing Minecraft or actually doing homework.  Other options include parental monitoring software that you can install.

High School Teens

If you have a teen that has enjoyed unlimited access with little supervision, the mere suggestion of cutting back on media will be met with great opposition. Teens may be less motivated to make adjustments because they think you are making them do something.

Planning with them teaches them to look closer at what distracts them from getting things done. It also helps them figure out strategies that can support their goals. Powerful incentives such as driving privileges and extended curfews work well for teens.

Often, high school homework is more time consuming, so suggest a 10 or 15-minute break every hour to get a snack, stretch or, if you’ve noticed them making a diligent effort, let them catch up with friends for 15 minutes.

Give your kids the guidance they need to succeed and only intervene when necessary. Teens will never learn to manage all the inevitable distractions of life if we control every minute of when, where, and how they do their homework.

How do you limit your kids’ exposure to social media when it’s time to study and do homework? Share your tips with us!