Add news
News Every Day |

I'm a child psychologist and my son was addicted to screens. I locked up computers at night and made a 'family media plan.'

Scott Kollins developed a plan to help his son (not pictured) with his screen addiction.
  • Scott Kollins is a clinical psychologist who studies families and kids.
  • His son became addicted to screens a few years ago.
  • Kollins has open conversations with him about tech, and the family now locks up screens at night.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Scott Kollins, chief medical officer at Aura. It has been edited for length and clarity.

At first, remote learning during the beginning of the pandemic was a great fit for my son, who has autism and ADHD. His middle school teacher even remarked on how well he was doing. Being in a traditional classroom had always been overwhelming, but being remote allowed him to engage with the class more easily.

Soon, my then-11-year-old figured out he could open other tabs on his computer during class time, watching whatever videos he wanted. I noticed his world turning inward. Watching YouTube became a source of entertainment and escape, but it took a toll on his health. He was having pretty serious depression and anxiety.

I am a clinical psychologist at Duke University School of Medicine, where I research mental health topics related to children. I had heard about screen addiction and the medical debate over whether it exists. When I saw my son experience withdrawals and lying to get more screen time, I realized tech really could be addictive. I believed my son had a screen addiction (although he's never been officially diagnosed by a different provider).

Yet even with my professional background, I couldn't get my son the help he needed right away. I thought, if I can't solve this problem with all the resources and professional knowledge I have, how can other parents?

Luckily, after three years, we've made a lot of progress with my son, who is now 14. I'm also creating healthy tech boundaries for my daughter, who is 12. Here's what my family has done.

We lock up screens at night

When my son's screen addiction was at its worst, he would sneak screen time when he was supposed to be sleeping. He was staying up late into the night, and I knew the lack of sleep was probably contributing to his mental health challenges.

So my wife and I bought a lock box and put everyone's computers, phones, and tablets in at night. This may sound extreme, but I truly felt that my son was struggling with addiction, and we needed to support him by restricting his access to screens. Implementing it was very tough. My son would cry, get angry, and even lie to try to get additional screen time.

We minimized the use of screens for schoolwork

At first, we wanted my son to have as little screen time as possible. We spoke with his teachers and coordinated with them so that he was doing as many assignments as possible with paper and pencil. When he did digital tasks, his parents or teachers were watching closely.

We model phone-free time

We've created a family media plan, which includes how much screen time the kids can have — one hour on weekdays, two hours on weekends and vacations — and designated screen-free zones. Everyone in the house gave input on what we should include in our plan.

We didn't want to label screen time as entirely good or bad. Instead, we focus on fostering healthy and responsible usage habits, including making sure everyone prioritizes chores, family time, exercise, and in-person socialization ahead of screens. We also model the behavior we want to see. When my wife and I finish work, we put our phones down and focus on being present for family time. Dinner is always a screen-free zone.

We meet our son where he is and create individualized plans for each child

My son has autism, and his symptoms personally mean he's not one for deep or lengthy conversations. We acknowledge that and allow him to read a book or do other screen-free activities during dinner, rather than expecting him to talk with us.

My daughter is younger, but she has a phone, while my son does not. That's very intentional. She has shown she can be responsible and trusted with the phone. For a long time, my son hadn't shown he could be responsible with a laptop, let alone a phone.

The first few months of limiting his screen time was very difficult, with lots of emotional outbursts. But after a while, we started to make progress, and he accepted the limits. Two years later, we're just starting to consider letting my son get a phone because he has been doing so well following our family media plan.

We use monitoring software and communicate about our approach

In addition to talking with the kids, we use a phone monitoring system, which has made me more comfortable considering a phone for my son.

When I told the kids I'd be monitoring them, their eyes got big. But I explained I'm not trying to see every detail — I'd just use the program to tell me if they were doing something that might be harmful, like if they're viewing adult content or spending too much time online. Kids need and want privacy and autonomy, but they also need to know someone has their back as they learn the new skill of managing their digital lives.

Our approach to technology is fluid and ongoing. Like any relationship, it requires lots of communication. We talk regularly about tech consumption. I ask my daughter what she's watching, and her thoughts on social media. She's not always the most forthcoming, but if I'm persistent but nonjudgmental, she usually opens up.

We've made a lot of progress, and we acknowledge that tech is here to stay

Though we're doing what we can to help our kids develop a healthy relationship with tech, my wife and I know they'll always be exposed to the digital world. We can't shield them from technology, but it's our obligation as parents to do what we can to keep them safe.

And I'm happy with our tech use as a family now. This summer, my daughter accidentally left her computer unlocked overnight, and my son didn't even try to use it. That's progress.

I recognize that, eventually, my son will need more unrestricted access to screens so that he's prepared as an adult. I'm taking a harm reduction approach, trying to limit the negative impact of tech while acknowledging that he can't avoid it completely.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Москва

Около ста ребят из Шатуры отправятся служить в ряды вооруженных сил РФ

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

T-Mobile closes Lumos deal after dropping DEI

Here’s more of what you’ll see through Meta’s $1,000 smart glasses

Will AI ever cure cancer? The multibillion-dollar race to bring the first AI-discovered drug to market

Tesla shares sink as deliveries miss forecasts by 'wide margin': report

Ria.city
Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "3 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...






Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "3 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...


Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "3 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

Trump gets rare Democrat support for new tariffs: 'This is a good start'

Watch BTL live at 12:30 p.m. ET

SDP chairmen warn El-Rufai, new members against hijacking structure

News Every Day |

The Ashton Jeanty Bears Smoke Just Got Even Thicker

The draft is three weeks away now. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have pieced together an off-season that is earning widespread praise across the league. The question is whether they can stick the landing with their 1st round pick in the draft. Current projections have the top three picks likely being a mix of Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter. After that, it gets tricky. People in Chicago want to know where running back Ashton Jeanty will end once the dust settles.

Widespread belief has been that the Las Vegas Raiders are the heavy favorites to take him at 6th overall, with New Orleans at #9 also being a possibility. It makes sense. Las Vegas’ best option right now is a 33-year-old Raheem Mostert. New Orleans knows Alvin Kamara turns 30 in July. Both teams need to think about the future at that position. Both have head coaches who like to run the ball. One thing is clear. A source told SM that those around the league believe one thing is certain.

“He likely won’t get passed Chicago if he falls that far.”

Ashton Jeanty is a strong probability for the Bears.

Whispers from Halas Hall indicate they love the Boise State star. It isn’t hard to see why. He nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in 2024, nearly winning the Heisman in the process. The guy carried his team to the college football playoffs. He’s built like a brick house with power, speed, contact balance, and vision. There aren’t any truly glaring weaknesses in his game. He’s earned comparisons to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshawn Lynch. The Bears haven’t had a back of that caliber since Matt Forte.

Try to imagine what this offense could look like with Ashton Jeanty, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet all as options for quarterback Caleb Williams. Throw all of it into Johnson’s offense, and you can understand why some people around the league aren’t wild about the idea. They are quietly hoping Jeanty goes somewhere else. One thing is certain. If he gets past the Raiders, the noise will get loud in a hurry. It would mark the first time in 20 years the Bears have taken a running back in the 1st round.

Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "3 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

‘Pulse’ Review: Netflix Medical Drama Takes a Beat to Find Its Stride

Acadiana Eats: Incredible Smoothie Café

'The markets are not healing': CNBC host snaps at Trump comment as Wall Street reels

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

Here’s more of what you’ll see through Meta’s $1,000 smart glasses

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

Tesla shares sink as deliveries miss forecasts by 'wide margin': report



Sports today


Новости тенниса
Юлия Путинцева

В двух сетах завершился матч Путинцевой против 16-й ракетки мира на турнире в Чарльстоне



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

Ансамбль из Петрозаводска завоевал Гран-при международного конкурса



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

Росгвардейцы обеспечили безопасность матча ВХЛ в Челябинске


Новости России

Game News

Atomfall surpasses 1.5 million players to become Rebellion's most successful game launch in 32 years


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Russian.city

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Москва

Врач-косметолог Зухра Балакеримова: подготовиться к лету с помощью моего авторского метода


Губернаторы России
Домодедово

Руководитель фракции КПРФ в Мособлдуме Александр Наумов посетил отчет главы г.о. Домодедово


«Ассоциация Блогеров и Агентств» и «Рейтинг Рунета» выпускают первый в России рейтинг агентств с экспертизой в инфлюенс-маркетинге

Как научиться принимать комплименты

Александр Буйнов приглашает на свой 75-летний юбилей

НАТО СПОСОБНО НАНЕСТИ ЯДЕРНЫЙ УДАР ПО США И ЕВРОПЕ? НАТО СДЕЛАНО ДЛЯ ЭТОГО. СЕНСАЦИЯ! НОВОСТИ! СПЕЦOПЕРАЦИЯ "ЗИС". Россия, США, Европа могут улучшить отношения и здоровье общества?!


Органный концерт «340 лет Баху и Генделю» в Москве: Владимир Скоморохов представит барочные шедевры

Новая эра, новые лица: как в Сколково обсуждал медийный успех экспертов

«Результат перманентного покаяния»: Бутусов рассказал о новом альбоме «Мертвец»

Linkin Park регистрирует новый логотип в России


WTA сменила флаг теннисистки Дарьи Касаткиной на австралийский

Екатерина Александрова уверенно обыграла Диану Шнайдер в 3-м круге турнира в Чарльстоне

Вероника Кудерметова одержала разгромную победу на старте турнира WTA-500 в Чарльстоне

Касаткина рассказала, почему перешла под флаг Австралии


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Компания enKod на Global Tech Forum: как технологии меняют маркетинг

Когда слово объединяет: ГПМ Радио приглашает на «Тотальный диктант»

Конкурс «Построй свой мир с Турбозаврами» стартовал на телеканале «Мультиландия»

Инжиниринговый центр в Москве: новый этап для российских производителей


В аэропорту Шереметьево с апреля вырастут штрафы

Акинфеев объяснил, почему не отдал своего сына в академию ЦСКА

Александр Вучич: Тайные переговоры с Путиным в центре мирового внимания

Домодедово рассказал туристам о новых рейсах: 42 внутренних и 40 международных маршрутов


Кампания Patrizia Pepe сезона весна-лето 2025 «Симфония Контрастов»

РОССИЯ И ДОНАЛЬД ТРАМП СПАСАЮТ США ОТ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РАБСТВА?! СЕНСАЦИЯ! УЛУЧШИТЬ ПЕРЕГОВОРЫ! Новости. В.В. Путин. Россия, США, Европа могут улучшить отношения и здоровье общества?!

Начинается предварительный конкурсный отбор слушателей Президентской программы

ТОП-5 лазерных устройств для татуажа в 2025 году: что нужно знать?


Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this


Путин в России и мире
Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Персональные новости Russian.city
Игорь Бутман

Джаз-клуб Игоря Бутмана открывает резиденцию в загородном ресторане "Подмоскоvные Vечера"



News Every Day

Darts star leaks World Championship payslip as he reveals long list of ‘deductions’ left him with just £5,200 winnings




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости