The brain is the best place to start when thinking about the healthy use of screens.  Both the prefrontal cortex AND dopamine pleasure pathway are important.  Prefrontal cortex This is the part of the brain which helps us handle impulses and urges.  Children’s pre-frontal cortexes are not fully developed. This part of the brain grows […]

Playing video games and surfing the internet results in dopamine being released by the presynaptic neuron into the synapse where it's received by the receptors on the surface of the postsynaptic neuron.  This is the part of the brain that transmits pleasure. It is the same pathway that is present when someone becomes intoxicated with […]

When raising kids, a lot of parents draw inspiration by thinking back to how their parents raised them and doing things similarly (or completely opposite!)  But with technology, that usual route of comparison disappears. Navigating a new technological terrain calls for new parenting techniques. One option some parents try is called a Screen Time Contract. […]

People around the world share a similar concern. Children and adults alike worry that they spend too much time on screens and devices.  Often families and friends interact more with their phones than with each other. Could we be "addicted" to screen time? The same study found that 36% of parents admitted that they spend […]

For better or worse, the internet has revolutionized how we live our lives. Cell phones have gone from a rare, clumsy commodity to a must-have accessory, and everyone has them, from toddlers to grandparents. However, while everyone can and does know how to use a cell phone, we don’t always want the people using them […]

Screen-based marketing influences adults. It convinces us to buy things we don't need and piques our interest in topics we don't care about. If screen-based marketing wields such influence on adults, can you imagine its effects on children? Kids' exposure to marketing messages affects their health behaviors and psychological well-being.  Tens of thousands of advertising […]

Key Individuals: Key Takeaways Intro Parenting style and screen time Screen time behavior  Dr. Michael Rich on screen time and brain development What Dr. Rich suggests is that in the early years, kids learnfrom every interaction they have. While iPads provide the convenience of active interactions, it's far better to allow kids to play outside […]

Carrots&Cake listened to the top Screen Time podcasts by TVO & summarized the key takeaways. Carrots&Cake independently created these podcast notes and does not have any affiliation with the Screen Time podcast. Key Individuals: Key Takeaways Intro YouTube for Kids & Adults Josh Golan What should grownups know about YouTube? YouTube and its safe space […]

Discover how to keep kids safe on ChatGPT with our comprehensive parent's guide, covering potential risks, parental control apps, and essential safety measures.

Protect your kids from inappropriate games online! Learn how to identify unsuitable content, set up parental controls, and promote open communication about gaming experiences.