Devices surround us. Look around your living space and count the variety of devices. All ages are impacted over the last 3-4 decades. Devices communicate for us.
They communicate with family and friends, with machines, with whole communities. They gather information in milliseconds and solve problems and give directions in the same short time. They are now a fundamental part of our lives in just 30-40 years.
Numerous studies have been and are being done to help us learn the positive and negative impact of all the communication devices. Dr. Jenny Radeskey in healthchildren.org has some suggestions for digital use. Parents are appropriately concerned about the amount of screen time taken up by digital devices. They worry that the screen time is taking over their child’s day (and night), crowding out other activities that are needed for good health. They may also worry that their own screen time also crowds out their time for healthy activities and for interaction with their children.
The question is why is it so hard to put down your device? Is it addictive? When people are doing something fun like playing a video game or exploring social media, the brain releases dopamine, a brain chemical linked to positive feelings. When the pleasurable thing stops, dopamine drops leaving a grouchy feeling. There are several lawsuits at present about digital executives exploiting the “dopamine loop”.
Besides dopamine, pleasure seeking use, social media is also used to avoid feelings of distress or boredom. If the distracting media goes away, the distress returns. Adults should be able to control their feelings, but toddlers and younger school-age children are still learning to deal with their feelings and temper tantrums may result.
Media time should be limited to fit in with all the other family activities. As digital technology is part of our lives it helps to have all the family members help share a media plan for everyone to follow. The family plan should include the kind of content that is OK for kids and what is off limits. Specific times can be when digital devices must be put away, for example, during meals, family outings or conversations, bedtime.
Addiction to digital technology should be considered if a child has a meltdown nearly every time they are asked to stop scrolling, watching or playing; changes in a child’s sleep, hygiene, eating habits or social activities that seem related to excessive screen time; difficulty handling frustration or boredom without screens; or withdrawing further and further into the virtual world isolating themselves from friends and family to spend more time online. If there are any of these concerns, it is time to consult their physician.
People of all ages have trouble putting digital devices down. Brain chemistry makes it hard for all humans to stop something they enjoy. Digital tech is designed to hold our attention, which can lead to resistance when it is time to stop. Whenever possible, have a face-to-face conversation with the TV off.
by Sally Robinson, MD Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
Published March 2026