Screen Time and Kids: Balancing the Benefits and Struggles

Hope and Will: A Parenting Podcast from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

This episode explores the No. 1 topic requested by our listeners: screen time. You might know it as the ultimate love-hate relationship of parenting.

No matter what your thoughts were about screens and electronics before you had kids, they’re an inevitable part of our daily lives. From babies to teens, navigating screen time conversations and setting healthy boundaries can be tricky. The episode opens with a roundtable discussion with moms of kids who range in age from 2 to 14. From withdrawal symptoms to the peer pressures driving phone purchases, they offer raw—and relatable—insight into challenges caused by screens big and small.

We then welcome Stan Sonu, MD, MPH, a pediatrician who serves as our Medical Director for Child Advocacy, to help parents better understand the “why” behind screen time recommendations. He shares tips and resources for maximizing screen time to benefit children academically and emotionally, as well as insight into how screens disrupt brain chemistry and affect our emotional wellness.

For more about this episode and our podcast, visit www.choa.org/podcasts.

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Created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
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This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be considered medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgments when making recommendations for their patients. Patients in need of medical or behavioral advice should consult their family healthcare providers. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. Product mentions are not endorsements.