While digital devices have become an integral part of daily life, Emplify Health is encouraging parents to manage their children’s screen time.
Excessive screen time can impact teens’ mental health, sleep patterns, and social interactions, so the local health organization suggests setting clear and consistent boundaries with your children.
Encouraging an open dialogue and active listening on the topic should make it easier for teens to understand the importance of turning their phones and devices off, but also getting them involved in alternative activities, including sports or other extracurricular activities, would also help.
Tiffany Born, LCP, PhD, and Emplify Health by Bellin Pediatric Psychologist, adds that it is important for parents to practice what they preach, as “Teens will notice if their parents are not following the guidelines they try to impose on them. Instead of being the rule-maker when it comes to screen time, try to be your teen’s partner in creating a balanced environment that supports the mental and physical health of everyone in the family.”
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