The Issue
The content children confront online is disturbing
68% of parents believe their children are addicted to screens
Screens are widely recognized as having addictive qualities. However, parents' growing worry about their children's screen addiction is becoming increasingly concerning. Forbes has gone so far as to compare TikTok to "digital crack cocaine" because each scroll through such platforms triggers a dopamine release similar to the effects of drugs. With continued use, these dopamine receptors can become depleted, leading children to continually seek that pleasurable sensation. Moreover, this depletion can make other activities seem less enjoyable or even pointless, as they struggle to experience the same level of joy or interest. This has become a widespread problem, leaving parents grappling with the challenge of safeguarding their children in a world where screen addiction lurks every time a device is unlocked.
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Children spend over 7 hours on screens on every day according to a new study
The extent of children's screen time is truly staggering, nearly consuming half of their waking hours outside of school. This shift raises alarm bells due to the profound health implications it carries. Children today have the power to access virtually everything on the internet, leading them to be confronted with addictive and harmful content every day.The allure of their devices is so powerful that it beckons them away from the physical world, enticing them with the promise of constant entertainment and instant gratification. Instead of genuine social interactions, they find themselves observing others through screens. Rather than engaging with online content or the real world, they are reduced to passive spectators of mindless media. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are countless opportunities to engage with inspiring & educational content, a privilege older generations did not have.
Read more
ADHD rates have increased 80% since 2000
Over generations, attention spans have been getting shorter, and one big reason for this is spending too much time on screens. Particularly, short-form digital media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are contributing to this issue. These platforms bombard the brain's decision-making, attention, memory, and emotional control center, the prefrontal cortex, with a constant stream of quick and attention-grabbing content. This can lead to a harmful habit where young minds get used to rapidly shifting their focus every few seconds, making it difficult for them to concentrate on tasks that require sustained attention.
Read more
Inappropriate, addictive content leads to significantly worse cognition & behavior
Most media consumed by children today casts a shadow over cognitive development, particularly in young, impressionable minds. The constant barrage of information, often flashy and inappropriate content delivered in bite-sized portions, can overwhelm developing brains. These challenges can hinder the development of even basic skills like reading and writing. Additionally, the chemical imbalances in the brain due to screen exposure can have adverse effects on emotional intelligence and self-control. It's evident that regular consumption of short-form content found on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts has significant implications for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children.
Read more
What can I do when my child keeps asking for a phone on a long car ride?
How can I get my children to spend more time playing outside?
Micromanaging my child’s time online is impossible. What can I do?
What can I do to protect my child from the harms of online content?
The Issue
The content children confront online is disturbing
68% of parents believe their children are addicted to screens
Screens are widely recognized as having addictive qualities. However, parents' growing worry about their children's screen addiction is becoming increasingly concerning. Forbes has gone so far as to compare TikTok to "digital crack cocaine" because each scroll through such platforms triggers a dopamine release similar to the effects of drugs. With continued use, these dopamine receptors can become depleted, leading children to continually seek that pleasurable sensation. Moreover, this depletion can make other activities seem less enjoyable or even pointless, as they struggle to experience the same level of joy or interest. This has become a widespread problem, leaving parents grappling with the challenge of safeguarding their children in a world where screen addiction lurks every time a device is unlocked.
Read more
Children spend over 7 hours on screens on every day according to a new study
The extent of children's screen time is truly staggering, nearly consuming half of their waking hours outside of school. This shift raises alarm bells due to the profound health implications it carries. Children today have the power to access virtually everything on the internet, leading them to be confronted with addictive and harmful content every day.The allure of their devices is so powerful that it beckons them away from the physical world, enticing them with the promise of constant entertainment and instant gratification. Instead of genuine social interactions, they find themselves observing others through screens. Rather than engaging with online content or the real world, they are reduced to passive spectators of mindless media. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are countless opportunities to engage with inspiring & educational content, a privilege older generations did not have.
Read more
ADHD rates have increased 80% since 2000
Over generations, attention spans have been getting shorter, and one big reason for this is spending too much time on screens. Particularly, short-form digital media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are contributing to this issue. These platforms bombard the brain's decision-making, attention, memory, and emotional control center, the prefrontal cortex, with a constant stream of quick and attention-grabbing content. This can lead to a harmful habit where young minds get used to rapidly shifting their focus every few seconds, making it difficult for them to concentrate on tasks that require sustained attention.
Read more
Inappropriate, addictive content leads to significantly worse cognition & behavior
Most media consumed by children today casts a shadow over cognitive development, particularly in young, impressionable minds. The constant barrage of information, often flashy and inappropriate content delivered in bite-sized portions, can overwhelm developing brains. These challenges can hinder the development of even basic skills like reading and writing. Additionally, the chemical imbalances in the brain due to screen exposure can have adverse effects on emotional intelligence and self-control. It's evident that regular consumption of short-form content found on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts has significant implications for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children.
Read more
What can I do when my child keeps asking for a phone on a long car ride?
How can I get my children to spend more time playing outside?
Micromanaging my child’s time online is impossible. What can I do?
What can I do to protect my child from the harms of online content?
The Issue
The content children confront online is disturbing
68% of parents believe their children are addicted to screens
Screens are widely recognized as having addictive qualities. However, parents' growing worry about their children's screen addiction is becoming increasingly concerning. Forbes has gone so far as to compare TikTok to "digital crack cocaine" because each scroll through such platforms triggers a dopamine release similar to the effects of drugs. With continued use, these dopamine receptors can become depleted, leading children to continually seek that pleasurable sensation. Moreover, this depletion can make other activities seem less enjoyable or even pointless, as they struggle to experience the same level of joy or interest. This has become a widespread problem, leaving parents grappling with the challenge of safeguarding their children in a world where screen addiction lurks every time a device is unlocked.
Read more
Children spend over 7 hours on screens on every day according to a new study
The extent of children's screen time is truly staggering, nearly consuming half of their waking hours outside of school. This shift raises alarm bells due to the profound health implications it carries. Children today have the power to access virtually everything on the internet, leading them to be confronted with addictive and harmful content every day.The allure of their devices is so powerful that it beckons them away from the physical world, enticing them with the promise of constant entertainment and instant gratification. Instead of genuine social interactions, they find themselves observing others through screens. Rather than engaging with online content or the real world, they are reduced to passive spectators of mindless media. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are countless opportunities to engage with inspiring & educational content, a privilege older generations did not have.
Read more
ADHD rates have increased 80% since 2000
Over generations, attention spans have been getting shorter, and one big reason for this is spending too much time on screens. Particularly, short-form digital media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are contributing to this issue. These platforms bombard the brain's decision-making, attention, memory, and emotional control center, the prefrontal cortex, with a constant stream of quick and attention-grabbing content. This can lead to a harmful habit where young minds get used to rapidly shifting their focus every few seconds, making it difficult for them to concentrate on tasks that require sustained attention.
Read more
Inappropriate, addictive content leads to significantly worse cognition & behavior
Most media consumed by children today casts a shadow over cognitive development, particularly in young, impressionable minds. The constant barrage of information, often flashy and inappropriate content delivered in bite-sized portions, can overwhelm developing brains. These challenges can hinder the development of even basic skills like reading and writing. Additionally, the chemical imbalances in the brain due to screen exposure can have adverse effects on emotional intelligence and self-control. It's evident that regular consumption of short-form content found on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts has significant implications for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children.
Read more