Eps 471: Resetting unhealthy screen time habits with Michael Jacobus

My guest today is Michael Jacobus, and we’re talking about unhealthy screen time, social media overuse, gaming addiction, and his Reset Summer Camp program.  

Michael shares how his own son becoming addicted to video games and the lack of help & programs available inspired him to create Reset Summer Camp. We, as parents, did not know the Pandora’s Box we were opening when we first brought technology and social media into our homes. We end up feeling guilty and don’t know what to do. How and why would we? None of this was available when we were teens! 

Michael posits that over half of the teens in the US have an issue with screen time, and he shares some recommendations for screen time at home (including when you get big, emotional reactions to new limits). I ask Michael how to first open up this conversation with your teen, how to best roll out social media to younger teens, and we wrap up agreeing that screen time usage is an issue that is truly universal and in every home.  

Takeaways from the show

• Gaming disorder is a real, diagnosable condition
• Parents typically don’t know what to do about gaming disorder and other screen time addictions 
• Technology addiction or screen time addiction is a family problem 
• How do you differentiate between typical teen behavior and serious overuse of technology? 
• Checking your own screen time usage 
• Recommendations for screen time at home 
• The importance of good sleep
• How to roll out social media to a young teen 
• Screen time is an issue in every household

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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