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Connection as a Protective Factor Welcome to our 2024-2025 series of Snapshots dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of children! Over the school year, we will continue to explore how building strong, positive connections can serve as protective factors in various aspects of your child's life.
Research consistently demonstrates that strong connections—such as those with family, peers, and nature—serve as a supportive element against various risks, including mental health challenges. These connections provide a foundation for a healthy, balanced life.
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 | We will be exploring how connections to various aspects of life can support mental health. It's important to note that these connections are not mutually exclusive; fostering one area can create a ripple effect, positively impacting multiple facets of your child's development. For example, encouraging time in nature not only boosts mental health but also enhances physical fitness and stimulates creativity.
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We invite you to stay connected throughout the year, as we join efforts to enhance the mental health and well-being of our children.
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September/October 2024
Welcome to our first Snapshot of the school year, where we focus on the powerful benefits of connecting with nature to improve mental health and serve as a protective factor against anxiety and depression. In this edition, you'll find insights and strategies to help reduce social media use by encouraging adolescents and teens to build a deeper bond with nature and experience its calming, restorative effects that promote overall well-being.
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In our digitally immersed society, many adolescents are primarily connecting through social media. Data shows that youth are spending as many as 4-7 hours per day online. Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation” has termed this phenomenon “The Great Rewiring of Childhood.” According to Haidt the
great rewiring began in 2010 as the first generation went through puberty with a smart phone. Since that time, a mental health crisis has risen with our youth who are now experiencing the highest rates of anxiety and depression ever recorded. The loss of a play-based childhood (which includes spending time in nature) and an increasing time spent in the digital world has impacted the development of social and physical skills in our children and youth.
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The author shares studies in his book that find the average teen reports spending more than 7 hours a day on screen-based leisure activities. He also identifies four foundational harms due to increased time online:
- Social deprivation (reduced time in outdoor play/activities and face to face)
- Sleep deprivation
- Fragmentation of attention (problematic use of social media and video games may interfere with the development of the executive function of the brain)
- Addiction
The impact of these foundational harms has contributed to the decline of mental health in our children and youth.
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Dr. Jonathan Haidt, talks about the negative impact of technology and social media on young people’s mental health and well-being, the harmful effects of hyperconnectivity, proposing potential solutions, and more.
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| Youth Development Instrument - Greater Victoria School District Data (grades 10-12)
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Parents can work with their teens to set limits on phone use and video games while encouraging alternative activities, like spending time outdoors. Exploring nature not only provides a healthy balance but also offers a refreshing way to engage with the world beyond screens. Fostering a strong connection to nature can enhance your teens’ mental health in the following ways:
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Stress reduction. Spending time in nature triggers a physiological response (reduced cortisol) that lowers stress levels.
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Improved mood. Contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.
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Enhanced cognitive function. Nature replenishes one’s cognitive resources, restoring the ability to concentrate and pay attention.
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Protective factor. Time in nature might help to buffer the effects of loneliness or social isolation therefore reducing anxiety and depression.
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It can be hard to encourage your teens to get outside, especially if they’re addicted to their screens. Unless you managed to get them hooked when they were little, they’re not usually excited about hiking up a challenging hill, going camping or climbing. But push through. Make a deal with them – for example: for every two hours you spend on your phone you need to spend one hour outside. Here are a few tips for getting teenagers outside and engaging with nature.
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Nature provides natural obstacle courses and once outside, teens are easily tempted by challenges such as scrambling around rocks, scaling high walls, navigating rivers, or finding a base camp in the bush.
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Most teens love hanging out with their friends and social connection is one of the key pillars of wellbeing. Invite your teen’s friends along for a hike, a swim at the local lake or a tree climbing expedition.
Involve your teen in the planning and preparation for an outdoor adventure. This will get them excited about the adventure in the lead up and they’ll feel more empowered and committed.
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Entice them with an exciting challenge such as climbing a hill or a little mountain, cross-country skiing, rock hopping or canyoning along a river or gorge, or sign them up for a ropes course.
Plan an adventure challenge like a weekend hike, Geocaching, a treasure hunt or a micro-adventure with them.
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Less screen time and more "green time" can make a big difference in your child's mental and physical health. The more your teens unplug and enjoy the benefits of nature the better!
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This poster reminds teens to step away from screens and engage with the outdoors. When they do it can have profound benefits for their mental and emotional health. The calm and peacefulness of nature offers a much needed break from the fast-paced, often overwhelming digital world.
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Do you enjoy the monthly Snapshots?
Do you have suggestions on how to improve the Snapshots?
Do you have ideas for future topics?
Let us know! We would love to hear from you!
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Visit the archived Snapshots that cover a variety of topics such as social media, mental health, friendships, bullying, substance use, vaping, consent, conflict resolution and more!
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*The term "parent" as used in the Snapshot is inclusive of anyone who is actively involved in raising a child, whether it be biological parents, adoptive parents, guardians, or any other caretakers.
The content provided through the Snapshots is for informational purposes only. It includes general information and does not specifically address the diverse child rearing challenges parents may encounter. Readers are encouraged to verify information and consider their individual circumstances when making decisions. The content is not a substitute for professional advice.
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