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Stacie Whitney's avatar

Yes yes yes.

I also have to be transparent as a parent (see what I did there?) about my own addiction - I'm super conscious that everything I do - work, social like, entertainment, purchasing, etc etc, all have some aspect of screen time. So the pleasure centres in my brain are constantly lit by screen, and I also find it hard to get off, or take breaks.

But I need to do this to model it for my children.

Such an important topic, and great awareness, thank you! Xx

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Christine Dabbs's avatar

Well said. When I was a kid watching to much TV was the problem. However you couldn’t take the TV with you places so it was self limiting. No such thing today.

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Mr. Jreft's avatar

Yes screens are toxic and are addictive. In my opinion our phones are a preview of us having microchips in our brain except they haven’t made their way yet to our brain but they likely will.

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David Roberts's avatar

My kids are in their thirties so we missed the smartphone era as parents. I admire your thoughtfulness in grappling with teenage tech use.. And it occurs to me that the key word is intentionality about how we use technology. If we are intentional we retain control.

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

This is so well-written. I experience this dilemma with my daughter daily, and I wonder about the potential failure of my executive function and diminished creativity. This is real.

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti

Thank you for writing this, Francesca, and doing fine research. My fears were confirmed upon watching the 'Social Dilemma" on Netflix. Some of the developers that were parents did not know they were creating an addictive drug and quit their jobs to protect their children. fascinating and scary.

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Reese Samuel's avatar

It's a daily conversation with myself and my kids. Finding the balance in what feels right and healthy for us. "Unsubscribing" from the digital sickness and making the choice consciously in what and how often we/they engage. With you in the trenches. Appreciate this post and you!

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Carter James's avatar

Great information that is super timely. Many specifics I didn’t know.

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Noushin Vahabzadeh's avatar

It's a double edged sword

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