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:
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.
As the gift-giving season approaches, many parents consider buying their kids their first phones or connected watches. Before diving into this decision, I want to share my perspective: delaying this purchase as long as possible is often the best approach. If you have decided to move forward, my team and I have worked hard to compile a detailed chart of simple phone and watch recommendations to help you choose the best option.
READ MORE >
In today’s blog, you’ll learn how Positive Discipline can transform your approach to parenting screen time. You’ll learn about this potentially transformative parenting technique from renowned Positive Discipline expert Casey O’Roarty. Learn to navigate challenges, foster connection, and empower your child’s self-regulation.
READ MORE >
I've noticed a lot of confusion in my conversations with adults and teens about using incognito mode. Many don't realize that, even in incognito mode, the websites they visit can still track their activity and show them ads related to what they did during that session. If you are unfamiliar with Incognito mode, today I explain why and how kids may use it and why you want to know.
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.
