As a doctor, I believe that while there is a true clinical internet/video game addiction, we must be careful about using the term addiction loosely. I explain here in this recent Washington Post article:
"For serious cases, she agrees that Internet addiction is a real problem. But for the kid who just won’t put her phone down during dinner? Calling her an addict may do more harm than good.
“We should be careful to stop using the word ‘addiction’ so kids can have an internal sense of control,” she said. “They have to know that the device does not control them.”
A new report from Common Sense Media titled “Technology Addiction: Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance” points to the potential controversy of taking an addiction view of everyday technology use. The key is to find balance both in our perspective on technology use and our actual use of it.
The Common Sense report includes results of a poll of 1200 teens and parents on their feelings, use and response to their mobile devices. Much of the poll’s results echo what we found from our work on SCREENAGERS, namely that both teens and parents recognize the strong pull of technology in their daily lives. In the results of the poll, one of every two teens reported they “feel” addicted to their mobile devices and 60 percent of parents “feel” their teens are addicted.
As I noted above, the parents and teens connection of the term addiction with their feelings about their device use is not grounded in the clinical definition of addiction as it pertains to Internet Gaming Disorder, or IGD. I touch on some of the specifics of IGD in SCREENAGERS.
These themes of distraction, conflict, behavior and compulsion also run throughout SCREENAGERS interviews of teens, parents and experts. Interestingly, some of the solutions to these issues come from teens themselves. One group of boys puts all devices in a pile on the center of the table whenever the get together so that they stay focused on each other instead of their phones. This self-awareness, which also comes through in the poll, speaks well to the emotional intelligence of the SCREENAGERS generation. At the same time that they feel drawn in by their devices, they are also seeking ways to disconnect from them.
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Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
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
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As a doctor, I believe that while there is a true clinical internet/video game addiction, we must be careful about using the term addiction loosely. I explain here in this recent Washington Post article:
"For serious cases, she agrees that Internet addiction is a real problem. But for the kid who just won’t put her phone down during dinner? Calling her an addict may do more harm than good.
“We should be careful to stop using the word ‘addiction’ so kids can have an internal sense of control,” she said. “They have to know that the device does not control them.”
A new report from Common Sense Media titled “Technology Addiction: Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance” points to the potential controversy of taking an addiction view of everyday technology use. The key is to find balance both in our perspective on technology use and our actual use of it.
The Common Sense report includes results of a poll of 1200 teens and parents on their feelings, use and response to their mobile devices. Much of the poll’s results echo what we found from our work on SCREENAGERS, namely that both teens and parents recognize the strong pull of technology in their daily lives. In the results of the poll, one of every two teens reported they “feel” addicted to their mobile devices and 60 percent of parents “feel” their teens are addicted.
As I noted above, the parents and teens connection of the term addiction with their feelings about their device use is not grounded in the clinical definition of addiction as it pertains to Internet Gaming Disorder, or IGD. I touch on some of the specifics of IGD in SCREENAGERS.
These themes of distraction, conflict, behavior and compulsion also run throughout SCREENAGERS interviews of teens, parents and experts. Interestingly, some of the solutions to these issues come from teens themselves. One group of boys puts all devices in a pile on the center of the table whenever the get together so that they stay focused on each other instead of their phones. This self-awareness, which also comes through in the poll, speaks well to the emotional intelligence of the SCREENAGERS generation. At the same time that they feel drawn in by their devices, they are also seeking ways to disconnect from them.
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As a doctor, I believe that while there is a true clinical internet/video game addiction, we must be careful about using the term addiction loosely. I explain here in this recent Washington Post article:
"For serious cases, she agrees that Internet addiction is a real problem. But for the kid who just won’t put her phone down during dinner? Calling her an addict may do more harm than good.
“We should be careful to stop using the word ‘addiction’ so kids can have an internal sense of control,” she said. “They have to know that the device does not control them.”
A new report from Common Sense Media titled “Technology Addiction: Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance” points to the potential controversy of taking an addiction view of everyday technology use. The key is to find balance both in our perspective on technology use and our actual use of it.
The Common Sense report includes results of a poll of 1200 teens and parents on their feelings, use and response to their mobile devices. Much of the poll’s results echo what we found from our work on SCREENAGERS, namely that both teens and parents recognize the strong pull of technology in their daily lives. In the results of the poll, one of every two teens reported they “feel” addicted to their mobile devices and 60 percent of parents “feel” their teens are addicted.
As I noted above, the parents and teens connection of the term addiction with their feelings about their device use is not grounded in the clinical definition of addiction as it pertains to Internet Gaming Disorder, or IGD. I touch on some of the specifics of IGD in SCREENAGERS.
These themes of distraction, conflict, behavior and compulsion also run throughout SCREENAGERS interviews of teens, parents and experts. Interestingly, some of the solutions to these issues come from teens themselves. One group of boys puts all devices in a pile on the center of the table whenever the get together so that they stay focused on each other instead of their phones. This self-awareness, which also comes through in the poll, speaks well to the emotional intelligence of the SCREENAGERS generation. At the same time that they feel drawn in by their devices, they are also seeking ways to disconnect from them.
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.
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When teens say they hate you, it often feels personal, but it may not truly be about you. Teens sometimes direct their overwhelming feelings toward the safest person in their life. Instead of responding with logic or backing down out of fear, check that your limits are fair, practice self-compassion, and focus on validation rather than correction. If conflict feels stuck, family counseling can help both sides feel heard and understood.
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Thoughtful family tech rules help protect kids’ wellbeing, learning, and sleep while strengthening connection at home. Using the fresh start of a new year, this post shares eight practical tech habits families can discuss and adapt together, including shared social media check-ins, screen time inventories, device-free meals, regular gaming breaks, and keeping phones out of bedrooms at night.
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.
