Screens, Kids & the Hijacked Brain: Dr Wayne Warburton on Beating Screen Addiction

Is your child’s screen time spiralling—and every conversation about it ends in a fight? Professor Wayne Warburton, leading psychologist and researcher, reveals how apps and games are deliberately engineered to hook young brains. He explains the hidden neuroscience of addiction, what excessive screen use does to a child’s emotional regulation and attention, and how parents can reclaim calm without all-out war. If you’ve ever wondered why your tween melts down when you say “time’s up,” this episode is a must-listen.

KEY POINTS

• Why modern apps use gambling-style tactics and AI to keep kids scrolling.
• How heavy screen use weakens the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that manages focus, planning, and emotional control.
• Simple, science-backed steps to reset family screen habits and return kids to the “driver’s seat.”
• Practical advice for conversations that don’t turn into shouting matches.
• Why social connection doesn’t have to mean social media.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“It’s not your child’s fault—or yours. These products are built to be addictive. The goal is to put your child back in the driver’s seat, not the screen.” — Dr Wayne Warburton

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Dr Wayne Warburton’s books Growing Up Fast and Furious and The Importance of Media Literacy
• HappyFamilies.com.au for family screen-plan templates and parenting resources

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Choose the right moment: Discuss screens only when everyone is calm and offline.
2. Externalise the problem: Frame it as “us versus the tech designers,” not parent versus child.
3. Co-create a plan: Involve kids in setting screen limits and consequences; write it down.
4. Build healthy replacements: Help kids identify offline ways to cope with boredom, anxiety, or stress.
5. Model balance: Show your own healthy screen habits—your example speaks louder than rules.

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