On Facebook, everybody just posts


the highlight reels of their lives. Tey don’t post the “real stuff” so everybody feels like everyone else’s life is so much better than theirs. Tis leaves people feeling “less than.” Tis is particularly true for parents


of kids with disabilities. For example, scrolling though social media during prom season and seeing groups of teen couples while your kid sits at home (or goes to the dance alone) is an especially heart-rending experience for these parents.


2) Constant stimulation. When you’re plugged in to your computer, tablet or phone your brain is constantly being stimulated, which eventually depletes your neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters like dopamine,


norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin excite the brain and stimulate the parts of the brain that supply focus and impulse control, drive, motivation, learning, memory and feelings of well-being. Neurotransmitters are created by


vitamins, minerals and amino acids. So, your body is busy making more and more neurotransmitters because you’re burning through them. You’re going to end up not having enough nutrients in your body to make more. Tis is no different than if you drive your car 100 miles per hour. You’re going to get there quicker, but you’re going to run out of gas faster. It’s no wonder why kids can’t


play video games and then do their homework. That plan just doesn’t work for the brain! Besides, video games are much more fun than homework!


3) Increased behavioral issues. In general, behavior issues in children increase when they are “plugged in” too much, because of the aforementioned overstimulation of the brain. Te bulk of parents struggle with the issue of “How much is too much?” because each child is different. A good rule of thumb is to be vigilant. If your child’s emotions, demeanor or interactions with you change, it might be time to cut screen time!


4) Imagination and creativity suffer. If you’re a parent of a certain age, you remember your parents telling you to go outside and play. You didn’t


Humans do not like to be bored, and we like to do things that stimulate the pleasure centers of our brains. We also love to master activities—that is what having a hobby is all about!


May 2020 21


need instructions on what to do next. You found a game to play, or you made one up. Kids don’t have to use their imagination because video games serve up fantasy lands on request. Watching YouTube celebrities doesn’t require any creative thinking, just observations of OTHER people living out THEIR lives. Humans do not like to be bored,


and we like to do things that stimulate the pleasure centers of our brains. We also love to master activities—that is what having a hobby is all about! Te trick is encouraging kids to use their brains by unplugging them and forcing them to be imaginative and creative.


5) Social skills suffer. Screen time takes away from social interactions with peers, which enable children to hone their social skills. Children are having more challenges with:


• Reading social cues (facial expression, body language and tone of voice) which lets us know whether or not others want to interact.


• Conversation skills, including starting and joining in a conversation, matching the topic, and the ability to talk about subjects that are not of interest.


• Emotional regulation (handling and expressing feelings appropriately)


• Being flexible • Turn taking • Handling losing • Working cooperatively


Tese are skills adults use every day,


and if you’re in the workplace, it’s probably a lack of these skills that annoy you the most about the “Millennial” generation.


Why is Family Time Important? Family time promotes connection, bonding, stability and peace within a family unit. However, it’s important enough to mention a couple reasons in particular:


Protecting Kids from Danger: If kids are in their rooms for long periods of time with their electronics, parents don’t know what’s going on in their lives; kids are potentially going to strangers for their emotional support. Tere are many other areas for concern: online gaming can be grooming for abduction, human trafficking, cyberbullying and more.


Reinforcing Social Skills: From a social skills perspective, non-distracted family time (meaning both children and parents are off of their devices) is a wonderful opportunity to practice


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32