5. It's more important for children to have "Heads Up" than "Does Down" when it comes to living. Why?

His statement was not purely symbolic. It had multiple layers. He meant it literally. His words are about kids and teenagers buried in screen-lit environments, whether on a campus, mall or in the middle of crowded urban areas. Blindfolds and lifelines have been created for them through their use of their phones.

The normality of it has become so great that we barely notice. But we should. Even with technology, life can have detrimental effects on safety, health, relationships, and the way we experience the world. Why?

Providing our children with a more constructive way to live is not just petty gestures, but essential.

1. The book Walking Blind in a Busy World is devoted to safety.

This is the most obvious and potentially the quickest.' We've all heard it: someone swerving in traffic while playing TikTok, or two kids colliding in a hallway because they didn't look up. Phones create invisible blinders.

I've witnessed the perilousness of those blinders on a city campus where my daughter and I were present. The importance of being aware lies in your ability to navigate a street, crowded subway station, or even at night walking home. The device's head is bent, making it impossible to be fully aware.

2. Health: Movement, Sleep, and Sunshine.

The action of screens is not limited to stealing attention; they also steal motion.' Kids that spend extended periods on their phones or tablets are missing out on the one essential aspect of growing bodies: movement. Doctors suggest that children exercise for at least an hour each day, but many do not make the same effort.

There are other aspects beyond just physical exercise. A common outcome of screen time is indoor time, which means that there are less hours spent outside in the sun, as well as on climbing, running or being in fresh air. Combined with the notifications and phone noise that wake teenagers up late, it creates a range of health consequences such as inadequate sleep, sluggishness, and long-term risks.

3. The Invisible Cost of Comparability: Anxiety.

Social media users who have experienced feeling inadequate are aware that screens serve as a bridge and criterion for our assessments. That analogy can be a source of sadness for teenagers, who are already struggling with the uncertain nature of their identity.

Every "like" becomes a symbol of value. Every finely honed photo of a friend's vacation, attire, or social experience becomes accompanied by the words: you're not enough. ". Evidence suggests that youth who use social media extensively experience a greater likelihood of experiencing anxiety and depression.

Not only time loss, but also the loss of peace of mind.

4. The loss of social connections: How to be with others.?

Our lonesomeness is often caused by the very things we use to connect, which are ironic in modern times. Adolescents can be in the company of friends and still be fully invested in a digital world, half-heartedly present in reality.

The skill of maintaining silence during conversations, practicing responsive listening and responding techniques, and mastering the awkward pauses that teach patience are all acquired through personal experience. The loss of our kids at this stage could have lasting effects on their future careers and relationships, particularly if they don't develop them now.

5. The Sacred Land: Exchanging Magic for a Prospect. ".

Children's loss of their sense of touch and perception is the most unfortunate consequence of a "head down" lifestyle.

Seeing nature through a screen turns it into just another filter, not an experience. The aroma of pine needles, the grit of sand, and the joy of hitting a nail or biting bread are potential replacements for swipes and taps. These sensory experiences are not to be missed.

A waterfall can be displayed in high-definition through a device. Still, it'll always leave a trail of black on your skin.

Helping Kids Lift Their Heads.

This does not mean that we should stigmatize technology. Electronic devices unite us, provide information, and facilitate various aspects of daily living. We, as parents, must ensure that the light shining through a screen doesn't overshadow the beauty of reality.

To "live heads up" we mean awareness, safety and have relationships with others, resilience & wonder.

This implies teaching children (and themselves) to dial the phone, look around, and fully engage with the people and places right in front of us.