Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has released numbers for the recommended screen time limits, it's important to think about not just the amount of minutes spent but how those minutes are spent . Are we using devices to distract us from more important interactions or to avoid certain emotions? How much outdoor, active, or creative time is being replaced by screen use? What is screen time affecting? Face-to-face interactions and amount of sleep are usually the first casualties of screen over-use so consider making those a priority and adding media time sparingly.
Human beings by nature try to move towards comfort. The trick is learning how to deal with the discomfort we experience throughout life in an emotionally healthy way. Unfortunately, the current tendencies towards dealing with "Big Feelings" by using screens to distract or numb are creating BIG problems.
Kids and adults can find themselves locked in a cycle that is creating vulnerability rather than building strength, durability, and resilience.
Learn more about how we get stuck in the Cycle of Vulnerability and what we can do to break out.
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