I used to think the ability to have self-control was determined at birth. While making Screenagers I learned that there are a variety of strategies parents can use to improve self-control. There are studies in which parents are trained to help their kids gain self-control, and researchers are able to measure actual improvement. A key way to teach kids self-control around tech time is to set up clear guidelines: State times the child should not be on their device and then give incentives for adhering to them. Their newly learned ability to self-regulate then flows over to other areas where will-power is needed.
So for today's TTT have a conversation with your family and get their input about self-control (some people like the term will-power better).
What is something that each person your family feels out of control with?
Are there certain tech times that feel out of control? Texting? Snapchatting? Gaming? Gaming while doing school work? Facebook for mom and dad? Working on the computer? Shopping on the computer? Liking pictures on Instagram? Strolling through Pinterest?
Talk about how it feels when tech time seems to control you? Having conversations about the feelings will get everyone thinking about this issue and that is a huge step.
I'd love to hear how it went. Share your ideas at the top of this page.
Warmly,
Delaney
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
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
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
As we’re about to celebrate 10 years of Screenagers, we want to hear what’s been most helpful and what you’d like to see next.
Please click here to share your thoughts with us in our community survey. It only takes 5–10 minutes, and everyone who completes it will be entered to win one of five $50 Amazon vouchers.
I used to think the ability to have self-control was determined at birth. While making Screenagers I learned that there are a variety of strategies parents can use to improve self-control. There are studies in which parents are trained to help their kids gain self-control, and researchers are able to measure actual improvement. A key way to teach kids self-control around tech time is to set up clear guidelines: State times the child should not be on their device and then give incentives for adhering to them. Their newly learned ability to self-regulate then flows over to other areas where will-power is needed.
So for today's TTT have a conversation with your family and get their input about self-control (some people like the term will-power better).
What is something that each person your family feels out of control with?
Are there certain tech times that feel out of control? Texting? Snapchatting? Gaming? Gaming while doing school work? Facebook for mom and dad? Working on the computer? Shopping on the computer? Liking pictures on Instagram? Strolling through Pinterest?
Talk about how it feels when tech time seems to control you? Having conversations about the feelings will get everyone thinking about this issue and that is a huge step.
I'd love to hear how it went. Share your ideas at the top of this page.
Warmly,
Delaney
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Sign up here to receive the weekly Tech Talk Tuesdays newsletter from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD.
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I used to think the ability to have self-control was determined at birth. While making Screenagers I learned that there are a variety of strategies parents can use to improve self-control. There are studies in which parents are trained to help their kids gain self-control, and researchers are able to measure actual improvement. A key way to teach kids self-control around tech time is to set up clear guidelines: State times the child should not be on their device and then give incentives for adhering to them. Their newly learned ability to self-regulate then flows over to other areas where will-power is needed.
So for today's TTT have a conversation with your family and get their input about self-control (some people like the term will-power better).
What is something that each person your family feels out of control with?
Are there certain tech times that feel out of control? Texting? Snapchatting? Gaming? Gaming while doing school work? Facebook for mom and dad? Working on the computer? Shopping on the computer? Liking pictures on Instagram? Strolling through Pinterest?
Talk about how it feels when tech time seems to control you? Having conversations about the feelings will get everyone thinking about this issue and that is a huge step.
I'd love to hear how it went. Share your ideas at the top of this page.
Warmly,
Delaney
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Parenting in this digital age is full of challenges. I imagine many of you are nodding in agreement. And when we look for advice online, it can feel like a sea of perfect experts with perfect advice: “Just follow these three easy steps and everything will fall into place.” In this week’s blog, I share a story about a moment with my daughter Tessa that did not go quite as planned but ended up teaching us both something important.
READ MORE >
Wow! Summer really goes by fast, doesn’t it? Back-to-school is already here for some and not far away for others. Ahead of this school year, I’ve hand-picked four of our most useful blogs. Practical, timely guides to help you set your family up for a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology in the months ahead.
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.
