Dopamine controls the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. When kids are on their screens, they get an instant dopamine rush from likes on social media, gaming, etc. The “dopamine feedback loop” becomes activated and a craving sets in. The bad news is that school and other “less-exciting” things can’t compete with the novelty offered by screens 24/7.

Reading is the first activity to go when screens are present, and it is the number one predictor of academic success. Sleep is another critical piece. Screen habits make it hard for teens to get the required 9.25 hours of sleep each night.

With this in mind, try to do the following to limit media use:

📱 Delay access to smartphones and video games.

This allows more time for a child to mature so that he or she can use technology wisely. “No” for now doesn’t mean “no” forever. Social media and today’s video games are very addictive.

📱 Follow your family’s accounts and co-view their screen activities.

Nothing is private in the digital world, so your child/teen’s digital activity should not be private to you. Know exactly what they are doing on their screens.

📱 Foster face-to-face social interactions.

Social media is not designed for kids. Try a family social media account managed by you on a home laptop in plain view.

📱Spend more non-tech time together.

Teens with strong family attachments show more overall happiness and success.

📱Help your kids choose and plan healthier forms of entertainment-

they need your help. Don’t give the smartphone and video games all the power in your home.