The smartphone plays a central role in many a young person’s identity.

Constant access and the ability to interact with others can be addictive, and, according to a study by health insurer Dax, around 2.6% of 12 to 17-year-olds show addictive behaviour in relation to social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.

Many teenagers will feel their life stops and starts with their digital presence. And while there is no quick fix, parents can engage in an honest conversation with their child and talk about ways of managing their phone use. The EU Internet awareness initiative Klicksafe has the following tips.

Avoid an outright smartphone ban

Prohibiting phones will not get things off to a smooth start. But a parent can start by brainstorming together. “How about introducing fixed times, when we all put away our phones?”

It might be every Saturday, or every day after 8pm. Parents should participate and even admit that it is tough for them, in order to set a good example for their child.

Turn off notifications

Another idea for parents is to discuss what notifications can be turned off. It relieves pressure to respond immediately as it keeps messages off the lock screen.

Each ping is also a positive association that the brain links to something fun or special, making the phone even harder to put down for long.

Self-test

Many apps let users know how much time they spend on the phone. A good way to slow use can be to determine if certain apps are fun or perhaps even stressful?

Serious signs of addictive behaviour include loss of appetite, ditching school and a complete retreat into the addictive behaviour. At this point, parents are advised to contact a counsellor and find professional help for their child.