


There’s a time for screens, but not at the expense of time for physical activity and connecting with real people in real time."

Alter explains: "Older kids understand the concept of balance intuitively - they know that it’s important to eat healthy foods alongside candy and dessert, and the same is true of the 'empty calories' that come from spending too much time passively gazing at screens.

"The most important step is to establish a balanced or sustainable relationship with tech," says the social psychologist Adam Alter, author of “Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked.” You can liken it to aiming for a healthy diet, Dr. Children who are tech-savvy will also be better prepared for a workforce that will be predominantly digital.Īt the same time, parents naturally worry about their kids accessing inappropriate content online, the impact of too much screen time on healthy development and their children becoming tethered to technology.Īs with most situations, a balanced approach to these new challenges works best. Technology can be empowering for kids of all ages, with tools that help children learn in fun and engaging ways, express their creativity and stay connected to others. It's clear that technology is here to stay and the world is becoming only more digitally driven.
