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We're diving deep into the fascinating yet often concerning world of screen time and its profound effects on children's brains, behavior, and development. Dr. Dunckley sheds light on how screens act as stimulants, triggering stress responses and hyperarousal, and shares insights on why younger children are more susceptible to these impacts. We'll explore how prolonged screen exposure can shut down the frontal lobe, hindering executive functioning and attention spans, and the resulting behavioral changes and physical restlessness.

We also discuss practical strategies for parents to mitigate these effects, including setting aside screen-free times and openly discussing screen use with children. Sarah shares her own experiences with her teenage daughter, and we delve into the crucial long-term effects of screens on social interactions and problem-solving skills. Plus, we'll touch on the importance of physical activities for developing fine motor skills and the potential downsides of relying on screens for hand-eye coordination.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Effects of Screen Time on the Brain and Behavior
• Screen time as a stimulant triggering fight or flight response and Chronic stress and hyperarousal from screen exposure
• Impact on Executive Functioning and Attention Span including Frontal lobe shutdown due to prolonged screen exposure
• Younger children are more sensitive to screen effects
• Immediate calming effects vs. long-term dysregulation of chronic screen use
• Impact on hunger, thirst, and behavior, including irritability and discomfort from screen timing
• Impact of parental screen use on children's attachment
• Importance of open conversations with children about screen use
• Book Discussion: "Hold on to Your Kids"
• Long-term effects of screens on children's connections
• Importance of problem-solving and adaptation
• Examples of teens finding alternative means of communication
• Decrease in tolerance towards end of the day due to cognitive exhaustion
• More energy in the morning for coping with tasks
• Positive Effects of Reduced Screen Time including improved kindness, relationships, and academic performance and reduced grogginess and dysregulation
• Debunking Myths about Screen Activities
• Importance of delayed gratification and resilience in the medical field
• Fine motor control dependent on core strength and shoulder stability
• Physical activities such as throwing a ball vs. screen time
• Weakened cores and musculature from prolonged sitting
• Family Strategies for Reducing Screen Time
• Strategies for parents: removing social media apps, reducing notifications

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Video Games in the Homeschool
• ADHD and Video Games: Is Your Child Hooked?
• Dr. Dunckley's Free Screen Time Minicourse
• Dr. Dunckley's Website
• Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen Time.
• Dr. Dunckley's Blog "Mental Weath" hosted by Psychology Today

Connect with our Guest, Victoria Dunckley, MD

Dr. Victoria Dunckley is an award-winning child and adolescent psychiatrist based at the Centre for Life in Los Angeles. She is a nationally recognized expert on the impact of screen time on brain health and development and a leading voice regarding screen time’s influence on misdiagnosis and overprescribing in children. Recently named one of “America’s Top Psychiatrists,” Dr. Dunckley and her work have been featured on numerous media outlets, including

Connect with Sarah Collins

• Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
• Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
• Visit the Homeschool OT Website