Ep 277: Understanding Our Kids' Online World

Michael Rich, author of The Mediatrician’s Guide, joins us to
explain why we must move beyond fear of “screen time” to have
more nuanced conversations with teens about finding balance,
meaning and ethics in their digital lives.


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Full Show Notes


Teens today have never known a world without smartphones, social
media, and round-the-clock internet access. As digital devices
become more and more ingrained into every aspect of their lives,
it's only natural for parents to worry about the impact all this
technology might have.


We often hear panicked stories about social media causing
depression or video game addiction destroying kids' attention
spans. It makes us want to snatch the screens out of teens' hands
completely! But is going cold turkey really the best approach?


To help parents navigate the digital age, we're talking to Dr.
Michael Rich, an expert on kids and media. Dr. Rich is an
associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and
the founder and director of the Clinic for Interactive Media and
Internet Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital.


He's also the author of a new book called The Mediatrician’s
Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in
a Screen Saturated World. As both a pediatrician and a former
filmmaker, Dr. Rich has a unique perspective on why we should
move past fear-based thinking when it comes to kids and
technology.


Rethinking "Screen Time"


Trying to simply limit screen time is an outdated way of
thinking, says Dr. Rich. Screens are so embedded into every part
of life that trying to quantify daily use is irrelevant. Instead
of counting minutes spent staring at a device, Dr. Rich
encourages intentionality. This means being mindful, balanced and
present in how we interact with technology.


Dr. Rich coins these practices the “killer B’s.” Being mindful
means understanding how device use displaces other activities,
while being balanced means taking regular screen breaks. Most
importantly, being present while using devices prevents us from
missing out on real world connections. Trying to upgrade from
texting to calling to in-person interactions is key.


Looking Below Problematic Behaviors


It’s easy to blame devices themselves for issues like addiction
or bullying. However, Dr. Rich explains that problematic digital
behaviors are usually symptoms of underlying issues like ADHD,
anxiety, depression or autism spectrum disorders. Taking away
teens’ access without addressing root causes may make problems
worse.


Dr. Rich notes that teens often see their devices as tools that
help them cope with or avoid difficulties in their lives.
Complete removal can heighten their distress. Instead,
identifying and properly treating adolescents’ mental health is
key to curbing unhealthy digital habits.


Fostering Digital Wellness


Rather than seeing devices as inherently bad, Dr. Rich focuses on
how we can use them for good. Social platforms and interactive
games actually have huge potential for building community,
creativity and emotional skills.


However, teens need guidance on using digital spaces ethically.
Dr. Rich encourages parents to model intentional digital wellness
and have open conversations about pitfalls like compare/despair
thinking or internet rabbit holes. Promoting self-awareness and
balance helps teens build healthy lifelong technology habits.





Sponsored by Equip: Eating disorder treatment
that works—delivered at home. Visit equip.health/talking for more
information, and a free consultation.