What do mental health professionals say about using devices?

There are many reasons why parents should pay attention to their children.
This is the way children feel valued and develop a sense of security. This is the way
children feel like they belong and feel a bond. When parents actively listen to their
children, they can model appropriate ways to express emotions and there is less need
for children to act out or withdraw. Paying attention to their children also affords parents
the very important ability to discern whether their children have any mental health
concerns that need addressing.

Technological devices offer learning, entertainment, and even babysitting. However,
today there is mounting evidence that these devices, when overused, interfere with
healthy emotions and social skills building. Even less interaction takes place when
parents are using their laptops and cell phones.

Consider some quotes from child and adolescent mental health professionals
regarding technological devices:

Did you know that having background TV has a negative effect even on infants and their
language development? According to Dr. Michelle Yang (2024), “…parents tended to
talk less and were more passive in their interactions with their children when the TV was
on.”

“We may have to exercise discipline to use the controls we have but we are not slaves
to these devices unless we allow ourselves to become so.”
– Dr. Edward Hallowell, MD, child and adult psychiatrist, NY Times best-selling
author and leading authority in ADHD.

“The earlier we introduce screens the more it affects the child’s brain development and
the more likely they will have trouble managing their addiction to screens and
technology later in life.”
– Dr. Laura Markham, author and founding editor of ahaparenting.com.

“The key is to teach them how to be safe with technology, because ultimately, we want
our children to be in charge of technology, rather than feeling technology is in charge of
them.”
– Elaine Halligan, London director of The Parent Practice.

“I do think that it’s important that if we want our kids to grow up as responsible,
independent and happy adults that they realize that technology is a privilege, it’s not a
right.“
– Laurie Dupar,  PMHNP, RN, PCC of Coaching for ADHD.

“It’s not just about limiting screen time; it’s about teaching kids to develop good habits in
real life as well as managing their screen time.”
– Cynthia Crossley, Co-Founder of Habyts.

► Moral of this story: You’re the parent. It’s okay to set limits and boundaries.