Tech Addiction Experts

A lot of parents start their conversations about screens saying something along the lines of "this is bad for you." Which can end up making kids give you pushback or just shutting down.

If you can try starting with something like "How are you feeling" you have a better chance of getting a real answer. Then get curious, have them help you try to figure out what could be causing that.

Maybe they're not getting enough real life connection, maybe they're sleep deprived. How does tech factor into that?? (up all night scrolling, avoiding real life and opting for screens more because it feels easier in the moment)

Check out this full episode of The Tech Addiction Experts Podcast with guest therapist Mark Hamilton. You'll find some great tips and other insights on these conversations.
Link to podcast in the bio.

A lot of parents feel like they need to have one big conversation about screens and get it right.

That just doesn’t work. Screens are a big part of everyday life now, and it needs to be an ongoing conversation.

Check out the full episode on The Tech Addiction Experts Podcast- link in bio

We made a small change in our own home recently.

We took almost all the apps off our TV and left just PBS Kids.

Our 4-year-old was asking for TV a lot and having a hard time when it was time to turn it off.

Since making the change, we've noticed a difference. He's playing more on his own, getting more creative, and the transitions away from TV have been a lot smoother (less screaming).

I know it's not always this straightforward with older kids. But there are still small changes that can make a real difference.

I'm not anti-screen. I just try to pay attention to how it's affecting my kids and adjust when something's not working for us.

This is the kind of thing I talk with parents about all the time. Small shifts really can make more of a difference.

What if you find out your kid saw porn… and now they keep going back to it?

A lot of kids don’t know what to do with that experience.

They can feel pulled toward it, even while knowing they shouldn’t be watching it. And for many, it’s the first time they’ve ever felt something like that.

It can feel confusing, and it can come with a lot of shame.

What’s important to understand is that their brain is responding in a very normal way.

This kind of content is highly stimulating and easy to access.
It makes sense that it can be hard to look away or not go back to it.

That doesn’t mean something is wrong with your child. And it doesn’t automatically mean addiction.

You can help them make sense of what’s going on.

That might look like helping them pause before going back to it, finding something else to shift their attention, or putting a little space between them and the device when they feel that pull.

And if it starts to feel bigger than what you can handle on your own, it’s okay to get some support.

I share more about this here for parents trying to figure this out.

Many kids are exposed earlier than parents think, often before middle school, and often by accident.

And if you find out your child has seen it, this does not mean you've permanently failed your child.

The most important thing you can do is have a conversation.

Not a lecture. Not a punishment. Just a conversation.

“If you ever see something like that again, you can always come talk to me. You’re not in trouble, and it’s normal to feel curious.”

Let’s be honest, most kids aren’t going to come to you every time they see something like this.

More often, parents find out after the fact.

But how you handle those moments really matters. It shapes whether they feel safe being honest with you over time.

Follow Tech Addiction Experts for more guidance on raising kids in a digital world.

I’m really excited to share this podcast with you all.

We need more nuance when we’re talking about complicated issues. Social media tends to reward hot takes and black and white thinking, and that just doesn’t help when you’re trying to raise kids in a digital world.

This podcast is a space to slow that down and really get into what’s going on.

I’ve done the work to find experts in this space, and we’re going to dig into these topics a little further. Whether it’s child psychology experts, addiction specialists, parenting experts, or even real parents dealing with this firsthand, the goal is to help you feel like you’re not flying blind raising kids in this evolving technological world.

I also want to reduce some of the shame that can come with this and normalize how hard it can be to raise kids with screens.

I’ve spent over 15 years working with families and teens, and I’ll be bringing both common and emerging topics into these conversations to help you feel more confident as a parent.

And if I’m doing it right, we’ll probably be laughing a little along the way too.

You can find The Tech Addiction Experts Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. I’d really appreciate you listening and leaving a review.