By: Mercedes Gibson 

The internet in Drue Edney’s cozy Eugene apartment has not been working for a couple of days. Edney, a single parent to daughters Lauren and London, has taken two days off of work to re-register the Internet’s router. Without any luck, Edney’s living room continues to feature alternative modes of entertainment: a neglected stack of DVDs and two unfinished puzzles. Despite alternatives, being internet-free rarely lasts forever in today’s digital era. Edney has always been cautious about raising her daughters, ages 7 and 12, in a home full of screens and Wi-Fi.

About a year ago, Edney decided to give Lauren a hand-me-down smartphone before she started middle school. This phone, along with her tablet and laptop, gave Lauren more accessibility to the internet and to her friends. “We had the discussion before giving her the phone,” Edney said. “I said to her that I’m giving you this phone as a test on how responsible you are going to be.” In time, Edney noticed a change in Lauren’s behavior including on-going moodiness and locking herself in her room for hours. “I didn’t know we would be needing anger management therapy due to cellphone use,” Edney joked. According to Edney, her daughter’s anger, moodiness, and addiction to her phone were not only results of being in the seventh grade, but also trying to keep up with social pressures among her classmates on the internet. During spring of this past year, Edney realized she needed a new system. The test of giving Lauren a smartphone needed new boundaries and rules. Edney decided to limit Lauren’s time spent on devices, as well as confiscating her phone as form of punishment. Edney also decided that Lauren is unable to have certain social media accounts, such as Snapchat and Instagram. Though Lauren and Edney do not regularly see eye to eye on this decision, Edney is “hopeful that limiting her time on her devices will reduce the dependency and appeal of being online all day.”

Fortunately for Lauren, Edney conveniently took Lauren’s phone away before the internet stopped working. However, once the internet is back up and running, Edney wants Lauren to be as busy as possible without a phone in her hands. Her goal for the upcoming school year is for Lauren to be as involved as possible with activities such as track and field, theater, and counseling at the YMCA. Edney hopes that these activities will allow Lauren to enjoy being 12, as well as to gain experiences she could not otherwise learn from the internet. As a single parent, grad student, and part-time office specialist, Edney notes that this goal will be challenging, but decidedly worthwhile for Lauren’s well-being and future.