A topic I hear from parents regularly is regret—regret about saying yes to a tech device too soon. Maybe it was a smartphone, a smartwatch, a gaming console in the bedroom, or allowing social media.
In The Power Of Regret, author Daniel Pink reminds us that regret can be a powerful teacher, not just through our own experiences but also by listening to others' experiences.
Today’s post is about how to reverse course on a tech decision for your child thoughtfully — and possibly prevent even deeper regret down the road.
With the school year ending soon, some parents are considering giving a phone as a graduation gift from elementary or middle school. Others are rethinking decisions they’ve already made, like allowing Snapchat or certain graphic video games. If this is you, you’re not alone — and it’s not too late to reconsider.
Yes, this is hard. Kids have strong reasons and emotions for wanting devices — they want to be included in group texts, video games, social media, and so on. These feelings are real.
But the downsides are real, too. Many parents are working to delay smartphone use, with researchers like Jonathan Haidt recommending waiting until high school as a minimum. In Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, some parents share their goal of delaying until age 15 — one dad says he’s not giving his kid a phone until he’s 18. The intention is strong, but the pressure is real.
So let’s talk about what it looks like to reverse course.
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Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
It's not easy to reverse a decision, especially when we've promised something as significant as a first phone. But changing course — when done with care and honesty — isn't just okay, it's often one of the healthiest things we can model for our kids.
As parents, we’re always learning. Sometimes we get new information or realize something doesn’t sit right. Reversing a decision isn’t weak — it’s responsible. It shows kids that flexibility, reflection, and long-term thinking matter more than following through for the sake of it.
Delaying a phone or stepping back from a tech choice doesn’t break trust — it builds it. When you’re transparent about your reasoning, you teach your child that parenting is about protecting, guiding, and being willing to do the hard thing in their best interest.
You also show them that it’s okay to reconsider, to be unsure, and to prioritize wellbeing over peer pressure.
It’s okay to say you don’t have a specific date. Let your child know you’re gathering information, listening, and working to make a thoughtful decision.
If you’re talking with other parents about delaying phones or smartwatches as a community, be honest with your child and let them know.
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! We add new videos regularly and you'll find over 100 videos covering parenting advice, guidance, podcasts, movie clips and more. Here's our most recent:
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A topic I hear from parents regularly is regret—regret about saying yes to a tech device too soon. Maybe it was a smartphone, a smartwatch, a gaming console in the bedroom, or allowing social media.
In The Power Of Regret, author Daniel Pink reminds us that regret can be a powerful teacher, not just through our own experiences but also by listening to others' experiences.
Today’s post is about how to reverse course on a tech decision for your child thoughtfully — and possibly prevent even deeper regret down the road.
With the school year ending soon, some parents are considering giving a phone as a graduation gift from elementary or middle school. Others are rethinking decisions they’ve already made, like allowing Snapchat or certain graphic video games. If this is you, you’re not alone — and it’s not too late to reconsider.
Yes, this is hard. Kids have strong reasons and emotions for wanting devices — they want to be included in group texts, video games, social media, and so on. These feelings are real.
But the downsides are real, too. Many parents are working to delay smartphone use, with researchers like Jonathan Haidt recommending waiting until high school as a minimum. In Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, some parents share their goal of delaying until age 15 — one dad says he’s not giving his kid a phone until he’s 18. The intention is strong, but the pressure is real.
So let’s talk about what it looks like to reverse course.
It's not easy to reverse a decision, especially when we've promised something as significant as a first phone. But changing course — when done with care and honesty — isn't just okay, it's often one of the healthiest things we can model for our kids.
As parents, we’re always learning. Sometimes we get new information or realize something doesn’t sit right. Reversing a decision isn’t weak — it’s responsible. It shows kids that flexibility, reflection, and long-term thinking matter more than following through for the sake of it.
Delaying a phone or stepping back from a tech choice doesn’t break trust — it builds it. When you’re transparent about your reasoning, you teach your child that parenting is about protecting, guiding, and being willing to do the hard thing in their best interest.
You also show them that it’s okay to reconsider, to be unsure, and to prioritize wellbeing over peer pressure.
It’s okay to say you don’t have a specific date. Let your child know you’re gathering information, listening, and working to make a thoughtful decision.
If you’re talking with other parents about delaying phones or smartwatches as a community, be honest with your child and let them know.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! We add new videos regularly and you'll find over 100 videos covering parenting advice, guidance, podcasts, movie clips and more. Here's our most recent:
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A topic I hear from parents regularly is regret—regret about saying yes to a tech device too soon. Maybe it was a smartphone, a smartwatch, a gaming console in the bedroom, or allowing social media.
In The Power Of Regret, author Daniel Pink reminds us that regret can be a powerful teacher, not just through our own experiences but also by listening to others' experiences.
Today’s post is about how to reverse course on a tech decision for your child thoughtfully — and possibly prevent even deeper regret down the road.
With the school year ending soon, some parents are considering giving a phone as a graduation gift from elementary or middle school. Others are rethinking decisions they’ve already made, like allowing Snapchat or certain graphic video games. If this is you, you’re not alone — and it’s not too late to reconsider.
Yes, this is hard. Kids have strong reasons and emotions for wanting devices — they want to be included in group texts, video games, social media, and so on. These feelings are real.
But the downsides are real, too. Many parents are working to delay smartphone use, with researchers like Jonathan Haidt recommending waiting until high school as a minimum. In Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, some parents share their goal of delaying until age 15 — one dad says he’s not giving his kid a phone until he’s 18. The intention is strong, but the pressure is real.
So let’s talk about what it looks like to reverse course.
Kids with ADHD benefit most when parents provide support at the exact moment behavior happens, a science-backed approach called "point of performance." Abruptly shifting from high-stimulation screen time to demanding tasks creates a "dopamine cliff," a brain chemistry drop that often shows up as resistance and conflict. Understanding both concepts helps parents smooth those transitions and build real skills and confidence in their kids over time.
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A new Louis Theroux documentary on Netflix exposes the growing network of online influencers pushing sexism, misogyny, and a narrow vision of masculinity on boys and young men. Combined with last year's hit series Adolescence, it is a wake-up call for parents. The good news: there is a lot we can do. This week, I round up our most relevant blogs and podcast episodes from recent months, covering everything from the "interrupter" technique to boys' mental health, phones in schools, online sports betting, pornography, and the manosphere's exploitation of boys' loneliness. The research is clear that parents who show up with curiosity, honesty, and consistency have more influence than they realize.
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When kids struggle with big emotions, many parents reach for a screen to keep the peace — but this can get in the way of children developing real coping skills. Drawing on research from Dr. Jenny Radesky, this post shares two practical strategies: using the Zones of Regulation color system to help kids name and process their feelings, and doing a toy swap with another parent to build your "vulnerable village" of support. Both approaches turn difficult screen-time moments into opportunities for emotional growth.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
