The Screen Time Dilemma

In this episode of EZ Conversations, I welcome Emily Churkin, a former middle school teacher and a parent, to discuss the significant impact of technology on children's social and emotional development. Emily shares her observations from her teaching experience, noting the increasing influence of social media and digital technology in classrooms and at home. They discuss the challenges of managing children's screen time, the adverse effects on face-to-face communication, and the normalization of anxiety and attention-related disorders. Emily emphasizes the importance of parent-child relationships, open communication, and setting intentional tech boundaries. They explore practical solutions for parents, including delaying smartphone and social media use, promoting collective action among parents and schools, and modeling healthy tech habits. The conversation also touches on broader societal issues, such as the role of tech companies in perpetuating addictive behaviors and the need for policy changes to protect minors.