We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Adults with Dr. Leonard Sax (#142)

In this episode, Melanie is joined by long-time ScreenStrong friend Dr. Leonard Sax, M.D., to talk about the effect of toxic screen time on children’s brains and social interactions. They review new screen-time studies, discuss how to manage screen meltdowns, warning signs for screen addiction, and how important the parent’s role is when making decisions about screen time.

If you want to share your family’s story with Dr. Sax, email us at team@screenstrong.com.

References & Links:

• Jonathan Haidt's article: 'Social Media Is Riskier for Kids Than ‘Screen Time.’

Dr. Sax's Books:

• The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups
• Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
• Girls on the Edge: Why So Many Girls Are Anxious, Wired, and OBsessed—and What Parents Can Do

Other Dr. Sax Episodes:

• TikTok: It’s All In The Algorithm with Dr. Leonard Sax (#102)
• The Collapse of Parenting with Dr. Leonard Sax, Part 2 (#26)
• The Collapse of Parenting with Dr. Leonard Sax, Part 1 (#22)

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ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin