Parents, are you beginning to feel like your kids are permanently attached to their digital devices?  I know I hear this from so many parents I talk to.  Latest research is now telling us that we are addicted to our screens.  I’ve begun to notice how much time I spend looking at my iPhone, just wanting to check my email one more time, or see that latest Facebook post.  Yes, I too am addicted to my digital device and have set my intention this year to put my phone down and be in the present moment…I’m taking baby steps and I’m still a work in progress!

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Research is also showing a correlation between the increased amount of screen time with children and teens, and a decrease in time spent reading, learning or interacting with others.

Have you ever wondered why some children appear to be obsessed with watching TV?  Trying to get them to turn the TV off, often results in a major battle!  Video games have also replaced many children’s time spent outdoors.

So what’s a parent to do?  Do you feel at times like you’re fighting an uphill battle?  Are you ready to throw in the towel as many parents have and allow your child or teen unlimited screen time?  Before you do that, let’s take a moment and explore why your child might be obsessed with screen time and what you can to do to help guide them.

I’ve asked my guest Bill Ratner to join my conversation.  Bill is the author of the recently released book, “Parenting for the Digital Age:  The Truth Behind Media’s Effect on Children, and What to Do About It”.  He is one of Hollywood’s top voiceover artists, narrating documentaries for Discovery, History Channel, Smithsonian, Travel Channel, and he is the computer game voice of “Ambassador Donnel Udina” in Mass Effect 1, 2 & 3, and the voice of “Flint” in the TV cartoon G.I. Joe.   His published stories can be heard on National Public Radio’s Good Food, The Business, and Strangers. Bill is a 9-time winner of The Moth Story Slams.  He is also a parent, public speaker, educator, and founder of TV Cartoon Scandals-Media Awareness for Children in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

I know you won’t want to miss out on our important conversation!

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