If you go on the internet, you'll find a lot of experts using the internet to tell us why the internet is destroying our kids' mental health. But Ginny Yurich, the founder of 1000 Hours Outside and author of Until the Streetlights Come On, says the decline in kid and teen mental health started in the sixties, and is more linked to kids having less autonomy and time outside, and too much structure with school and extracurriculars. Michael speaks with Ginny about where the 1,000-hour number comes from, how busy families fit it in, how to handle screens without banning them, why bad weather and a little discomfort are good for kids, and where any family, or any adult, can start. They discuss:
(00:00) Cold open
(00:47) Where 1,000 hours comes from
(05:32) Her first good day as a mom
(09:25) Minutes outside, hours on screens
(11:21) When both parents work
(14:56) It works for adults too
(17:48) Getting screen-loving kids outside
(23:29) Screen time without saying no
(25:56) Why play takes 45 minutes
(27:52) Going outside in any weather
(32:16) Waiting on phones and social media
(33:54) Overscheduled, anxious kids
(38:19) It started before the iPhone
(41:28) Starting sports at 13
(46:56) Letting kids take risks
(49:43) Where to start
(53:59) What 1,000 episodes taught her
(56:53) Kids and AI
Get Ginny's book, Until the Streetlights Come On: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540903402_until-the-streetlights-come-on
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Host: Michael Easter
Executive Producer: Robbie Hiser
Music: The Heater Manager
Graphics: Jackie Philips
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