With the Covid-19 pandemic creating an unexpected need for online school, tech has been forever integrated into our children’s everyday curriculum. Teachers recognize that kids benefit from tech tools, and schools now offer individual devices for kids as young as elementary age. We’ve become reliant on screen devices at home too. Smart assistants, like devices that support Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, get us fast answers to questions in seconds. But is it helpful to outsource the brainwork we should be doing ourselves? What if you’re a kid who hasn’t yet mastered independent reasoning? Does relying on a screen device impair learning rather than help us develop it? Are teachers aware of how much kids are outsourcing learning to their devices? If you worry that your child is using tech too much, our Screen Safety Toolkit offers a resource guide so you can tighten up screen time supervision and management.
What are smart assistants?
Smart assistants are tech devices, like phones, portable screens, watches, and speakers that use software to perform verbally requested tasks.[1] Among the most popular are Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
As of 2021, about 47% of smartphone users in the United States are Siri-equipped iPhone users.[2] In 2020, close to 70% of smart speaker users in the United States used Alexa-equipped Amazon Echos.[3] The prevalence of these two smart assistants has created an encyclopedia of knowledge accessible just at the sound of our voices. In fact, Amazon promotes using Alexa for that very purpose.
Last year, Amazon ran an ad that showed a father asking Alexa what year Pompeii was destroyed. Once he receives his answer from Alexa, he shares it with his daughter who is clearly doing homework at the dining table. She then turns to ask him for the name of the volcano. He responds by turning back to the Alexa device. Although this ad intends to demonstrate a fun interaction between father and daughter, it also demonstrates how smart devices are being used to cheat on assignments and get easy answers.
Are kids using smart devices to cheat?
The modern generation of students is smart, and they know how to use the technological resources they are given. But they also know how to use them to cheat and get away with it.
A college student I interviewed recalls a run-in with a fellow classmate who had Siri turned on during a test in high school. “We were in the middle of a test in my AP European history class, and suddenly the iPhone of the girl sitting next to me begins speaking. You can hear Siri say, ‘The War of 1812 was…’ before she abruptly turned it off. The teacher immediately turned to her and said, ‘Make sure all phones are turned off please.’ The student turned bright red, so I think she definitely learned her lesson.”
This instance of cheating occurred in 2017. Since then, opportunities for cheating with smart devices are more common than ever. A recent high school graduate recalls taking tests during Covid-19. “The teachers would make us all have our cameras on, but they wouldn’t require us to be unmuted since it would be a distraction. Since they couldn’t hear us, anytime I would get stuck I would just ask the Alexa sitting in my room. Sometimes my friends and I would even Facetime each other and use my Alexa together whenever we felt confused. I honestly would never study for tests because I didn’t see a point when I could just get the information from Google so easily.”
For a student who is struggling, smart devices provide the perfect assistance for quick and easy answers to questions while simultaneously being practically untraceable. Other forms of cheating leave behind indicators or evidence, but smart assistants don’t.
It is a given that cheating is bad, but you may not know of the many downsides to cheating that go beyond academia. A recent study by a Harvard-Duke research team found that cheaters tended to engage in “self-deception,” meaning they would view their high performance as a sign of high intelligence, which may not actually be true. They see a high score, and even though they cheated, they believed that they are smart enough to have earned that score.[4] Another study found that when our kids cheat, they deprive themselves of the happiness that comes from independent accomplishment.[5] Smart devices are helpful tools, but when their assistance turns into dependence, kids begin to create a world where there actually at a disadvantage.
Take away or manage smart devices during class or homework time using resources from our Screen Safety Toolkit.
Advocate for your kids and communicate your preferences about tech integration with teachers and school administrators.
Offer valuable information and support for your learning community by suggesting a screen safety webinar from Dr. Bennett, our Screen Safety Expert, at your school and church.
Set up tech-free learning challenges for the whole family like a family game or trivia night.
Encourage creativity, curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning by offering a variety of fun educational materials and outings.
Optimize health tech integration for the whole family with the parents-only and family coaching videos from our Screen Safety Essentials Course.
Thanks to CSUCI intern, Katherine Carroll for researching kids cheating using smart assistant devices and co-authoring this article.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
The creation of the Internet has transformed society in every way imaginable, and 84% of us use it every day.[1] The two generations that grew up with the Internet are millennials and generation Z. You may be surprised at how differently these two groups use it, and how it’s affected them as human beings overall. Today’s GKIS article highlights the difference between teens and young adults and those who are 25 and older. If you’d like to help prepare your gen Z’s for healthy Internet media consumption by building good habits and communication, check out our Screen Safety Essentials Course.
What defines a generation?
A generation refers to all people born and living around the same time. The average period of a generation is 20 to 30 years, and the cutoffs are defined by when people become adults and start having children of their own. Although the specific years that group a generation is often up for debate, for our purposes we define millennials to be anyone born between 1981 and 1996 and generation Z to be anyone born between 1997 and 2012. That means millennials are currently between the ages of 26 and 41, and Gen Zs are between the ages of 10 and 25. Millennials were in their teen years when they first started using social media and gen Z’s were still children when they ventured into online neighborhoods independently.
Millennials and the Internet: Jackie’s POV
To gather better insight into how millennials view and interact with the internet, I interviewed Jackie (age 25).
Jackie started using Instagram and Facebook when she was 16 years old. She considers the biggest impact social media had on her was the comparison. Comparing her social media posts to others’ posts was the biggest issue she thinks she faced. It’s an issue for her because when she would compare posts, insecurities often arose. She said that constantly seeing others’ posts of selfies, vacation pictures, and pictures with significant others and friends made her feel inadequate, especially when she was much younger. She overcame those issues by no longer using social media as often.
Gen Z and the Internet: Sophia’s POV
To better understand gen Z’s views and interactions with the internet, I interviewed Sophia (age 12) about her experiences.
Sophia started using social media when she was 10 years old, specifically Snapchat and TikTok. She feels that the biggest impact social media had on her was the concern of appearing ‘cringe’ online and in front of others in real life. Micro-managing one’s appearance and mannerisms is another problem many gen Zs face. Snapchat and TikTok often contain videos of people recording others doing things, sometimes without their knowledge. Certain behaviors are labeled as ‘cringe’ or ‘embarrassing’ by others in comment sections. Nowadays, she says she still uses social media often but not as much as she used to, claiming she used to be glued to her screen 24/7 when she first started.
Compare and Despair
The biggest similarity between the two is the micro-management of what is shared online. Many are concerned with how they’re perceived on social media in addition to comparing their lives to others. Curating the perfect image or life is something that seems to be an issue for many social media users regardless of age.
The negativity and insecurities that come from social media aren’t age-restricted. However, it can have a particularly heavy effect on tweens and teens. Our Social Media Readiness Course can help with that. By teaching kids the red flags of digital injury and clinically tested psychological wellness tools, we can help prepare your kids for safer screen use and prevent feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and the desire to compare online.
More Access and More Influence on Self-Identity
Taking both interviews and research into consideration, it seems that there are both similarities and differences in how both generations interact with the Internet. The biggest difference is that gen Z has been exposed to social media much younger than millennials before they solidly formed self-identity. Further, more social media platforms and sophisticated personal mobile devices were available to them – giving them almost constant, on-demand, mutual contact with peers and strangers.
Parent Replacement
In addition, more parents were inclined to help introduce technology to gen Z children. Smartphones became a sort of transitional object assigned by parents as their substitute.[2] This is something millennial children never experienced because smartphones weren’t around when they were toddlers and young children.
More Competence and Confidence Online
Those exposed to the Internet at younger ages tend to be more savvy and aware of online dangers. Research demonstrates that gen Zs tend to have more confidence protecting themselves online than people who are 25 and older.[1].
Self-Guided Learning Opportunities
Those who love to self-direct their learning argue that early browsing offered opportunities that older generations didn’t have. They say that the internet offered them a tremendous breadth of opportunity and a depth of learning as they directed themselves into deeper and deeper learning.[3]
However, from a developmental stance, gen Z kids who use such advanced technology to assist them in critical thinking and comprehension can have downsides. One is known as the Google Effect, also known as digital amnesia. By using the Internet, we end up storing less information in our biological memory, becoming less knowledgeable overall.[4] Another problem is that gen Zs use advanced search engines and smartphones to cheat by looking up answers to homework and quizzes. Learn more in our GKIS articles, The Google Effect. Because Memorizing is So Yesterday andSiri and Alexa Help Kids Cheat on Homework.
Social Impacts
Internet access at young ages can have developmental effects on social development as well. Positive aspects include convenient social management tools during interpersonal conflicts, like pause or block options for regulation and impulse control, and the creation of virtual identities for experimentation and practice.[2]
Potential negative effects include feelings of social inadequacy and exclusion, increased risk of body dysmorphic disorders, and exposure to cyberbullying and interpersonal exploitation. Insta-Famous Brings Insta-Anxiety is a GKIS blog article that touches on the risks that can arise from using social media.
GKIS Tools That Can Help
Our free GKIS blog articles are an excellent source of information, from parenting tips to media headlines, child development, and much more.
Our Screen Safety Toolkit offers a great resource guide so you can find the tools necessary to implement proper management, monitoring, and supervision to navigate the Internet more safely.
[1] Jiang, M., Tsai, H. S., Cotten, S. R., Rifon, N. J., LaRose, R., & Alhabash, S. (2016). Generational differences in online safety perceptions, knowledge, and practices. Educational Gerontology, 42(9), 621–634. https://doi-org.ezproxy.csuci.edu/10.1080/03601277.2016.1205408
[3] Ransdell, S., Kent, B., Gaillard, K. S., & Long, J. (2011). Digital immigrants fare better than digital natives due to social reliance. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(6), 931–938. https://doi-org.ezproxy.csuci.edu/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01137.x
[4] Heersmink, R. (2016). The Internet, cognitive enhancement, and the values of cognition. Minds and Machines: Journal for Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy and Cognitive Science, 26(4), 389–407. https://doi-org.ezproxy.csuci.edu/10.1007/s11023-016-9404-3
Quantum computing is in its infancy, and most probably haven’t heard of it. China and Google are in a race to see who can achieve quantum supremacy first. Right now, China is winning. In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the basics of quantum mechanics and how its rules have been applied in creating quantum computers. The capabilities of these machines are utterly mind-blowing and raise ethical concerns for our safety and future. You won’t want to miss this one.
Quantum mechanics refers to how our natural reality works on the subatomic level. Subatomic particles are smaller than atoms and consist of electrons, protons, neutrons, and photons. The rules in quantum physics state that an unobserved photon exists in all possible states simultaneously, but when observed or measured exhibits only one state. The state that an unobserved photon exists in all possible states simultaneously is called superposition.[7]
Subatomic particles that are created together are forever linked throughout space and time. One particle can be in another galaxy and the other on Earth and instantaneously communicate with each other. This is known as entanglement.[11] A subatomic particle can also go through any solid barrier easily through tunneling. An example of tunneling is a person being able to walk through a brick wall, impossible for us, but not for a subatomic particle.
Albert Einstein referred to entanglement as “spooky” because it defied the laws of relativity.[1]The theory of relativity says that time and space are linked together, that the universe has a speed limit, and nothing can travel faster than the speed of light (186,000 miles per second).[2] But subatomic particles have proven to be exceptions by communicating with each other instantaneously throughout space and time.
What is a quantum computer?
Quantum computers are machines that use the properties of quantum physics to store data and perform computations. In a quantum computer, the basic unit of memory is a quantum bit or qubit. Classical computers are traditional computers that we use such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.[3] Classical computers encode information by using binary bits that can either be 0’s or 1’s and are either on or off. Since qubits are made of subatomic particles like photons or electrons, these particles conform to the rules of quantum mechanics instead of classical mechanics. They exhibit the bizarre properties of quantum particles.[10]
Qubits are made by using physical systems such as the spin of an electron or the orientation of a photon. These systems can be in many different arrangements all at once (superposition) and can be inextricably linked (entanglement). This results in a series of qubits representing different things simultaneously. To put things into perspective, a few hundred entangled qubits would be enough to represent more numbers than there are atoms in the universe.[3] A qubit can store a zero, a one, both a zero and a one, or an infinite number of values in between, as well be in multiple states at the same time. This makes it possible for a quantum computer to store multiple numbers at once and process them simultaneously.[1]
Who has developed quantum computers?
IBM and Google have developed quantum computers. Google’s Sycamore had been in the lead until recently. In December 2020, China made a breakthrough in quantum computer technology with its new Jiuzhang quantum computer. Theirs uses photons of light and an array of lasers, prisms, and mirrors so you have computations moving at the speed of light under controlled conditions.[9] This photonic computer found solutions to the boson-sampling problem in 200 seconds, a calculation that an ordinary supercomputer would take 2.5 billion years to complete.[5] This computer is 10 billion times faster than Google’s quantum computer.[8] Both Google and China are in a race to see who can achieve quantum supremacy first.[4]
The Benefits and Applications of Quantum Computers
Quantum computers can:
solve complex problems at a very fast rate
reduce power consumption from 100 to 1000 times since they use Quantum tunneling
improve many of our current technologies that need immense computation power like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and 5G
help in the development of new pharmaceuticals by examining every possible drug interaction through a combination of more precise and expedited DNA sequencing and understanding of protein folding. This offers the best possible plan of action for success for each patient with each particular drug.
help with cryptography by creating unbreakable cybersecurity barriers and super secure long-distance communication
fine-tune atomic clocks that are essential components in GPS and communication systems
help with mapping a human brain and understanding how it works
help us find distant planets by analyzing the vast amount of data collected by telescopes to ultimately develop methods for safe space travel
help researchers model complex molecular interactions at an atomic level which can lead us to new cures for incurable diseases
test jet software that is too complex for classical computers to make jets safer
reduce weather-related deaths by accurately predicting the weather forecast
detect cancers early
The Risks of Quantum Computers
Quantum computers can:
lead to limitless hacking and code-breaking, posing global security threats[6]
ultimately have the ability to produce conscious beings
accurately predict the stock market by identifying an incorrectly priced stock option and exploit it for personal gain before the market shifts
win elections by acquiring the best ways to market information to best exploit individual voter preferences.
offer unlimited power to the winner of the quantum computer race
Considering the risks, this technology may be too smart for our own good, especially in the wrong hands. It may even be capable of solving the mystery of the universe and the nature of our existence.
Carl Jung, one of the pioneers of psychology, believed humans are inherently religious due to an inherent striving towards a relationship with someone or something that transcends human power. How would knowing these mysteries affect our reality and the way we view our existence? What if the answer was much more simple than we anticipated? What if we are merely here by chance and cease to exist after death? What would happen if everything we have come to believe to be true was simply an illusion created and fueled by our inherent need for survival deeply programmed in our unconscious minds? What effect would that have on our psyche and spirituality?
These are serious concerns when it comes to dealing with technology that is so advanced. It’s true that these technologies would lead to many positive breakthroughs, but at what price? Unless you are interested in physics or engineering, many people will not hear about these technologies and how far they have come. It’s important for us to be aware of these technologies and their possible consequences. For many, it is hard to even think what it was like before smartphones and the internet. Imagine the changes with quantum computing!
For information and safety tips about how to keep you and your family safe, we highly recommend Dr. B’s Cybersecurity and Red Flags supplement. In an age where technology is advancing at such a fast rate, it is important to keep you and your family informed.
Thank you to CSUCI intern Andres Thunstrom for co-authoring this article.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Onward to More Awesome Parenting,
Tracy S. Bennett, Ph.D.
Mom,Clinical Psychologist, CSUCI Adjunct Faculty
GetKidsInternetSafe.com
Now that I’m an “older” working mom, I love to share offline and online organization hacks and efficiency grabs that have saved me through the years. These organizational techniques were the difference between frazzled and peaceful at our house. With the overtasked lives we lead, most of us are guilty of brain fades and frantic searches while yelling and scolding overwhelmed kids. Even if you set up only one or two of these ideas, it may be the difference between fun family mornings versus a school day launched with tears and resentment.
Unclutter study spaces by setting up customized, distraction-free workspaces in niches and corners for each kid.
Kids in my practice often complain that the kitchen table is too distracting to get homework done quickly and neatly. The psychological research agrees. Studies reveal that fractured attention leads to irritability, wasted time, and poor grades. To optimize learning, set up a quiet corner office for each child. All it takes is a willingness and clever organization ideas and fresh accessories. Check out my GKIS Connected Family Online Course for a detailed blueprint for creating award-winning maker spaces with awesome Pinterest DIY ideas. A customized works station is a compelling magnet to get your kids creating in 3-dimensional space as a complement to screen learning. Ergonomic, body-healthy setups in the place of slouching on beds and couches avoid repetitive stress injuries to the neck, back, wrists, and hands.
Avoid missed soccer practices and study deadlines by setting up a digital family calendar.
Family schedules are chaos! Streamline communication and scheduling by color-coding child activities and setting up Family Share on Apple’s Family Calendar, Google’s Calendar, or Microsoft’s Outlook. Each member can share calendared activities and set up automatic reminders. Shared organization at a glance!
Just as you throw out old clothes your kids have grown out of, it’s also important to declutter digital spaces.
Schedule a fresh-start fall family meeting where everybody gathers with their mobile screen devices to trash apps and games they have grown out of.
Revisit (or grab) your free GKIS Connected Family Screen Agreement at GetKidsInternetSafe.com. This will help you set sensible rules like a digital curfew and create screen-free zones – including bedrooms and bathrooms.
Finally, teach cybersecurity measures from my Cybersecurity Red Flags Supplement. New this fall, you and your family members can tweak bad habits so don’t fall victim to bad actors online.
Cleanse social media profiles with an eye toward future reputation.
If your tween or teen is on social media already, you know the time-suck risks during school time. Help them sort out the necessary from the unnecessary by helping them avoid the bio-hack elements designed to capture their attention.
Consider limiting teens to only one or two social media apps to decrease wasted time due to mindless browsing and compulsive checking.
Insist that apps with visual notifications be on the second swipe screen on smartphones. That way they won’t get distracted by little red notifications and, instead, can batch their check-in times as research suggests is best.
And finally, delete old posted photos and unnecessary personal information from social media history. Sharing real-time with friends on a private profile is fun, but do you really want somebody lurking through your past photo-by-photo? Point out that other parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, future employers, and even college app administrators may be forming impressions based on your digital footprint. So instead of having an online resume populated by off-color jokes and sexualized photos, create a flattering stream of artistic works, philanthropic activities, sports activities, and fun friend and family time. A progressive, balanced, healthy life looks beautiful online – and may help you get a college placement or dream job instead of hinder it!
Reboot your Screen Safety Toolkit.
Each developmental stage offers unique online safety challenges. For example, little kids are best accommodated in a walled digital garden like YouTube Kids, and older kids need a little more digital space to explore and create. To parent well in the digital age, you need specially-selected free and third-party software tools to help you filter and block inappropriate content, set time-limits, monitor online activity use, remotely pause or offer rewards, and even locate and track the driving activities of your teen. If you get overwhelmed or need help figuring it all out, check out my GKIS Screen Safety Toolkit for tips, product recommendations, links to ISP and social media app safety guides, and free digital learning tools for best academic performance.
There you have it! Five quick and easy parenting hacks that will launch the school year with fun and success. Just as I recommend shoes live by the front door so you are not always searching, digital folders and organization tools will keep you dialed-in in your virtual life. Most importantly, set a peaceful intention with a six-second exhale for positivity and fun each morning before you enter the family’s living space. Parents must actively define the heart of the home. If we start the morning with a smile and warmth, our kids emotionally synch and return the joy. Soak in every chaotic and blissful moment!
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Also, if you are a local Southern Californian and need a little TLC to get started on your screen safety/fun parenting plan, join me for a morning of pampering and friendship.
Your heart is racing, your chest is constricting, and it feels as if you may vomit. The logical part of your brain tries to soothe the panic that’s building in your chest by informing you it’s due to the three cups of coffee you’ve consumed in the last hour. But instead of listening to your better instincts, you turn to Google. Article after article feeds your worst fears with information about heart attacks. And just when you think your “diagnosis” can’t get any worse, a dreaded link takes you to a site for cardiac tumors. Before you know it, you are texting your mom to tell her how much you love her and escaping into social media rather than paying your bills. All you can think about is how painful it’s going to be to die from this fatal medical condition. While you are preoccupied with your heart, a muscle spasm occurs in your lower back which drives you into more panic. Now you’re convinced your kidneys are shutting down…
What is Illness Anxiety Disorder?
Illness Anxiety Disorder is a relatively new concept that has replaced the diagnosis of hypochondriasis. Individuals who suffer from this disorder are frequently preoccupied with worry over becoming extremely ill or developing a rare life-threatening condition. They may fixate on a specific part of the body or a certain medical condition like cancer or tumors.
Although illness anxiety or health anxiety will not kill you, it is extremely distressing and can be debilitating. According to Mayo Clinic (2018), illness anxiety disorder typically develops in early to middle adulthood and can get progressively worse over time.
Symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder
Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness or disease, like checking your breasts for lumps or checking moles constantly
Frequently making medical appointments for reassurance
Frequently searching the internet for causes of symptoms or possible illness
Worrying excessively about a specific medical condition or your risk of developing a medical condition because it runs in the family
Having so much distress about a possible illness that it’s hard for you to function.[1]
Cyberchondria
With information just a click away, it is very easy to become a victim of cyberchondria. Cyberchondria is a subtype of illness anxiety disorder. It occurs when an individual seeks Dr. Google to research their ache or pain. Cyberchondria refers to preoccupation with a feared illness paired with compulsive Internet browsing.
What the Research Says About Illness Anxiety Disorder
A research team from Microsoft found that, although people reported low levels of health anxiety when Googling their symptoms, the searching provoked anxiety, leading to more compulsive searches. From there, many went on to schedule exploratory doctor or specialist appointments.
Although occasionally triggering unnecessary anxiety, White and Horvitz (2009) pointed out that a benefit of Googling a pre-existing medical diagnosis is an opportunity to become acquainted with accurate medical terminology. With this knowledge, a patient can give a more informative history and be a better advocate for appropriate treatment with their doctor.
Illness Anxiety Disorder Often Occurs with Another Psychiatric Disorder
Research has shown that illness anxiety disorder is more commonly comorbid with other anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (worrying excessively), panic disorder (impairment due to fear of panic attacks), agoraphobia (avoidance of everyday life experiences due to fear of panic attacks), and even phobias (excessive fears).[3] It can also be seen in those who suffer from depressive symptoms but is most commonly seen in those with anxiety disorders.
Not much information is known on illness anxiety disorder because individuals who suffer from this will seek medical help first over psychiatric help. That means the client undergoes expensive medical diagnostic procedures rather than cognitive-behavioral therapy (the psychological treatment that is the most effective treatment).
What Causes Illness Anxiety Disorder?
While the exact cause of illness anxiety disorder is still unknown, researchers believe certain events contribute to the early onset of an illness anxiety diagnosis.[2]
Possible contributors:
History of abuse as a child
Excessive screen use overall
A serious medical diagnosis as a child or a parent had a serious medical diagnosis
Experiencing a major stressful life event
Excessive worrying related to health
Difficulty asserting oneself or impoverished social skills
How to Help Individuals Suffering from Illness Anxiety
If your child or teen is demonstrating tendencies, use the tools offered in our GKIS Screen Safety Toolkit. They will allow you to identify risk by monitoring browser searches, emails, and inquiring text messages.
Limit screen time and Internet access to WebMD and Mayo Clinic
Develop a positive, healthy relationship with your doctor by informing them about your tendencies
Find a psychologist for cognitive-behavioral therapy
Develop ways to ease stress, like exercise or meditation
Thank you to CSUCI intern, Kassidy Simpson for providing parents with the knowledge they need to help recognize and become aware of the signs of illness anxiety disorder. If you learned something new from this article, please talk to your friends about us and “like” our GetKidsInternetSafe Facebook page so other parents can find us!
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Onward to More Awesome Parenting,
Tracy S. Bennett, Ph.D.
Mom, Clinical Psychologist, CSUCI Adjunct Faculty
White, R. W., & Horvitz, E. (2009). Experiences with web search on medical concerns and self-diagnosis. AMIA … Annual Symposium proceedings. AMIA Symposium, 2009, 696–700.
Scarella, T. M., Laferton, J. A., Ahern, D. K., Fallon, B. A., & Barsky, A. (2016). The Relationship of Hypochondriasis to Anxiety, Depressive, and Somatoform Disorders. Psychosomatics,57(2), 200–207. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2015.10.006
Memes are addictive and trashy, but that doesn’t stop an entire generation of people using and abusing them at any given time. The number of times I have tried to have a conversation over text with my brother and only received memes as answers is ridiculous. In fact, if I had a dollar for every meme that was sent my way, I’d be a debt-free woman. While memes appear pointless and mindless, parents can use them to manipulate their kids into doing homework and chores around the house. How you ask? All it takes is some knowledge about the dankest of memes, and you too shall become a meme lord.
What is a meme?
A meme is a highly shareabledigital image with a witty tagline. They are appealing, because they can be funny, clever, sarcastic, or simply tap into an unspoken but relatable concept. For example, some of my favorite memes are the ones that reference what it is like to have siblings, like the meme of a guy with an arrow through his head, captioned, “I’m sorry, you’re fine, please don’t tell mom.” Every time this tired meme pops up on Instagram, I have to share it. Memes not only offer personal entertainment, they are also a proven way to connect effortlessly to others.
The History of Memes
Believe it or not, memes were not birthed from the Internet! According to Britannica (2019), Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist, was the first to propose the concept of “memes” in his 1976 work The Selfish Gene. In a recentinterview with Vice (2018), Dawkins defined a meme as “the cultural equivalent of a gene,” meaning that, in the same way genes are passed down from person to person, memes culturally spread through the population. By his definition, cultural phenomena like fashion, slang, and fads can all be considered memes, as well as the traditional image with a caption that we see circulating social media today.
Dawkins’ ideas are elegantly illustrated with today’s dank memes(memes that are overused and overhyped) — for example the “free real estate” and the “salt bae” meme.
Salt bae: CNBC (2018) reported that the man behind the salt bae meme is Nusret Gokce, a chef and restaurant owner who became a viral sensation for the way he dramatically sprinkles salt on the steaks he’s prepared for guests. Since an Instagram video of him performing this action went viral, Gokce’s salt bae has become a dank meme and gets used for anything that is perceived as extra or snobbish.
Check out Gokce performing this amazing meme here.
Free real estate: This meme originated from the TV show, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!which aired on Cartoon Network’s late night TV Adult Swim. This hilarious sketch is in the form of a commercial in which Tim and Eric are desperately trying to convince a man named Jim to move into a free house. It ends with a close up shot of Tim whispering the timeless line, “It’s free real estate.”
In his YouTube video, “What makes a meme go viral?” Hank Green (2017) attributes the popularity of memes to the bandwagon effect. The bandwagon effectis when people join in on a trend or belief simply because others have told them to. Social media is a great way to increase the popularity of a meme, because it enables us to share them with the world. When someone finds a meme that they adore, they share it with anyone who will find it funny, usually with a caption like, “OMG you have to see this!”
Hank (2017) elaborates that a meme going viral depends on how extreme of an emotion it elicits in us. The more outrageous a meme, the more likely we are to share it. In my opinion, this also has to do with how nostalgic a meme’s content is. For example,the popular meme that features a clenched fist from the popular TV show Arthur can be used for a plethora of situations but is mainly used to elicit subtle levels of frustration and anger.
In my opinion, the reason this meme became such a viral sensation is the feelings of nostalgia it brought to millennials. I adored the TV show Arthur as a child, and every time this meme pops up on my Instagram discover page, it brings back memories from when I was small and cute.
The Most Insane Viral Memes
To become a meme lord, you must be familiar with these iconic memes.
Success Kid: In 2010, an image of a cute little baby at the beach clenching his fist began circulating the Internet. This image is usually used when something awesome happens that was unexpected. Check out its history here.
Distracted Boyfriend: The distracted boyfriend meme was discovered on Shutterstock, a site that houses royalty free images. Its appeal is self-explanatory.
World Record Egg: This is by far one of the most ridiculous things to have happened at the beginning of 2019. It all began when an account on Instagram wanted to see if a photo of an egg could
gain more likes than one of Kylie Jenner’s photos, which had 18 million likes. As of today, the great egg on Instagram has over 53 million likes and 9.9 million followers. This then sparked a series of memes with the captions, “Can this meme get more likes than the Kylie Jenner baby pic?”
Check out their Instagram to keep up-to-date on the hunt for the egg! @world_record_egg. Check out these amazing memes here.
Need more memes, because that just doesn’t feel like enough? Frequentknowyourmeme.com to maintain your newly-acquired meme lord status. You won’t be sorry.
How GKIS Parents Can Become Meme Lords
As the popularity of memes has rapidly risen over the last few years, it’s evident that memes are here to stay. Many people and workplaces are now using them to their advantage. Teachers are using them as motivational tools when they’re grading papers, and workplace managers post them in employee break rooms as funny motivational tools.
Mom, Dad – you too can be a meme lord! Not only can you bring humor into your everyday chore assignments, but you can mortify your kids for being quicker in-the-know than they are!
For example, use them as motivational and study tools when helping kids with homework. There is an entire genre of memes dedicated to random facts. These are known as WTF facts and include some fantastic information that you usually wouldn’t learn in a classroom. Of course, fact check. You can’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Kids love them! My younger brother will spend hours looking at these memes, especially the history ones.
What sites will help GKIS parents become meme kings and queens?
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, make one! Believe it or not, making memes is as simple as pulling up free design sites/apps like Canva or Imgur. Remember, if it doesn’t cause immediate laughs, then it’s probably not a meme!
Dr. Bennett founded GKIS as a service for parents looking to have more fun with their kids, which means joining them where they’re at. Become a meme lord to lighten up, have fun, and encourage mutual meme sharing with your goofy brood. If your kids are younger than eleven, they’ll be in awe of you. If their tweens or teens, you’ll get a mortified eye roll – which Dr. Bennett says is “the best you’re gonna get outta teens.” haha.
Thank you to CSUCI intern, Kassidy Simpson for providing parents with information they need to help become as meme savvy as their kids. Need more support to get Internet savvy and partner with your kids instead of lecture them? You’ll love our GKIS Connected Family Online Course. Designed to help parents lighten up and have fun with their kids while improving screen safety, you’ll see why Dr. B’s kids say she’s “the fun mom.”
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Thanks to CSUCI intern, Katherine Carroll for researching kids cheating using smart assistant devices and co-authoring this article.
