Screen Addiction: 4 Signs You Are a Part of The Problem!
Screen addiction is very, very serious.
Screen addiction happens in kids...and parents.
I have been helping kids and parents break screen addiction for a very long time.
If you have a child who overuses or abuses a screen, this article is for you.
If you like my videos, you can watch a "Live Drive" where I discuss this. Click HERE to watch. 
Why is this happening?
Research tells us that the amount of dopamine we experience using a screen...
-has similarities to cocaine
-sets in motion a potentially addictive pleasure/reward cycle
-can lead to numerous behavioral and communication problems.
We all want our children to have healthy relationships with the screens in their life.
In my 20+ years of working with parents and modern teens, I have helped countless numbers of parents and teens overcome screen addictions and issues around screens.
I want to help. I write this out of love and care.
If you have ever said one of these four sentences, you, parent, are probably part of the problem.
1. "What Else Would They Do?"
Boredom is good.
It's good for your kids to get bored. 
This is a fact.
Boredom fosters imagination, creativity, problem-solving skills and invites kids into new adventures and new learning opportunities.
If you were to limit your screen addict's screen time then:
a. They will get angry.
b. They will mope, whine, or try to manipulate you.
c. They will get bored. Very bored.
These reactions can be hard.
But if you cave and give a screen addict a screen, that's makes you an enabler.
You have not helped your child. 
But if you stay strong during this detox phase, your teen would have to make a healthy choice.
"Do I continue to mope and whine and manipulate... or... do I get outside, call a friend or try something new?"
They may start a new hobby, read a book, exercise, call a friend, go outside or do a million other things that healthy kids/teens do.
2. "It's The Only Way They Connect With Their Friends."
True - kids are on screens a lot. Especially during COVID. 
Also True - most kids are still getting outside to make memories and connect with their friends.
Modern kids experience so much dopamine and relational connection from/through their modern screens it can be a hard addiction/habit to break.
But if their parent falsely believes that a screen is the "only way they connect with their friends", it means this parent is a huge part of the problem.
3. "If I Limit Their Screen-Time I Am Afraid They Will Get Angry."
If you put a plate of healthy foods and meats in front of a three-year-old and next to it put a plate of ice cream, candy and junk food, and ask the three-year-old to eat what they want, we all know what would happen.
They would choose the crap. 
Why?
They are three years old.
Kids don't understand the human body, minerals, vitamins, cavities, calories or disease. They don't have the maturity to balance their own palate.
Yes, some modern teens know how to balance the screens in their life.
Yet in my 20+ years of working with teens, I have concluded that MOST TEENS/TWEENS don't have the maturity to balance the screens in their own life.
Just like three-year-olds cry when they don't get ice cream, it's common for a teen/tween to cry/mope/whine/manipulate or get angry when they don't have unlimited access to a screen.
With screen addiction, if the parent caves under a child's anger, or is afraid of a child's anger, they are clearly a huge part of the problem.
4. "It's Safer For Them To Be Inside. I'd Rather Have Them On A Screen Because I Am Afraid..."
Parents - children need to be outside...even during COVID.
They need sunshine, adventure, and to make memories. 
Kids/Teens need to get their knees scraped. They need to jump off rocks into water. They need to be with friends. They need to push themselves, do things that make them uncomfortable and live life outside of screens.
Human beings need vitamin D, nature, friends, adventure, creativity, and human connection.
It's natural to be afraid of COVID.
It's natural to be afraid of your kid getting hurt.
But if you are parenting in fear...or letting fear guide you to say "I'd rather have them on a screen"
...then you are a huge part of the problem.
If your teen, you, or your family needs help breaking a screen addiction, we are here for you. We can show you the path into health and balance.
Stay Strong. Be Close. Teach Wisdom.
Sean Donohue
Family Coach, Founder
Click HERE to go deeper with Sean.
Click HERE to read "Young Men Are Lions - And Need To To Feel Like One."
Click HERE to read “7 Things EVERY Teen Girl Needs to Hear From Her Parents.”
Click HERE for Sean's article, "Why Teens Need EQ Skills".
Click HERE to read Sean's article, "How To Evaluate Your Teen's Emotional Maturity".
Share this article on social media!
Get Parenting Articles Right to Your Inbox!
Authors
The Family Coaches of Parenting Modern Teens
We Help Parents Solve Painful Patterns and Behaviors...& Raise Wise, Mature Adults.
Categories
All Categories
