Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician specializing in treating children with internet addictions, advises parents not to panic about their kids' screen time. Instead of aggressively limiting device use, Rich encourages teaching children how to use smartphones wisely.
Amid debates about banning phones for children and removing them from schools, Rich offers a balanced perspective. He believes that many individuals use digital tools effectively for education and connectivity. It's important to guide children in using these tools constructively.
Rich argues that most children who struggle with screen time have underlying conditions like ADHD, social anxiety, autism, or depression. He terms this Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU) including excessive gaming, scrolling, and obsessive information searching. His new book, *The Mediatrician's Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World*, calls for "digital downtime" but warns against rigid rules.
Rich emphasizes that screens are often symptoms, not causes, of deeper issues. He rejects the addiction model, which he feels absolves individuals of responsibility by suggesting they are powerless against their devices. Instead, he advocates for teaching children to use screens healthily and productively, replacing strict screen time limits with minimum non-screen activities.
Rich has also initiated the Inspired Internet Pledge, which encourages media companies to make the internet healthier for kids. Signatories include TikTok and Pinterest.
Contrasting views come from social scientists like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge, who argue that smartphones are a primary cause of rising depression and anxiety among youth. Rich believes technology can amplify these issues, but there are other causes. He emphasizes that each child is unique, and parents are best suited to determine the appropriate level of screen time and content.
Comments