Though it has become more common to see teens, kids, and even babies entranced by cell phones and other devices, a nationally renowned psychotherapist, author, and television contributor maintains that is not the best way for them to spend their formative years.
Tom Kersting recently told Fox News downtime is "the most fertile ground for developing your mind, your emotions, and relationships." But when kids have downtime, the assumption is they are going to be on their screens all day long.
He said "social conformity" has created this "sad" reality where kids are looking at screens 80% more than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kersting recognized that TV is not the main problem; he likened the quick, short, addictive videos on social media to a "vortex" that sucks people "down the drain" of high screen exposure, which negatively affects their attention, their social skills, and their sleep and makes them susceptible to "social contagions" like the infamous Tide pod challenge.
"I've been talking about this for so many years, [and] it just hasn't gotten any better," he lamented. "We've got to do a better job of just gathering our kids, being with them."
He urged parents to set boundaries, like not allowing their children to take cell phones and devices in their bedrooms, and to limit screen time by encouraging real-life activities, like riding their bikes instead of playing video games.
He thinks the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are a good opportunity for families to hit the reset button.
"Maybe get out some board games … and interact instead of just being in separate rooms in the household," Kersting suggested.
