Screen Time, Social Media, and the Developing Brain: The Neuroscience Behind the Screens

Screens have become integrated into our everyday lives. They are unavoidable. In many ways, they make our lives easier and in other ways, they have brought on a whole new set of problems. We've heard the guidelines on screen time, the concerns for mental and social health, and many of us have made efforts to mitigate the risks in our own lives- and our children's. But do we know why these things are happening? Answering the "why" is often the first step to making meaningful and lasting change. This workshop is designed to answer that question. We will look at what happens in the brain when exposed to screens, social media, video games, and other technology, what to expect with your children, where the recommendations we hear come from, and how to use that information to create habits that will last a lifetime. 

Topics covered include:

• Brain development and emotional regulation

• The effects of screen use on the brain, body, stress levels, mood, and behavior

• The relationship between screens and impulse control

• The benefits and risks of video game effects on the brain

• Social media and it’s impacts on memory and brain structure

• How to create healthy balance with screen usage and create a personalized tech plan