As American schools return to session this September, a wave of smartphone bans is sweeping through classrooms in Ohio, Colorado, Vermont and Michigan. The move aims to keep students focused on academics, but it’s creating a new challenge for parents whose children spent the summer glued to their screens.
The numbers are concerning. Half of American parents now believe their child may have a smartphone addiction, according to therapy center Grateful Care ABA. Research from entertainment platform Lingokids shows children typically experience significant increases in screen time during summer months, putting them at risk of depression, obesity and insufficient sleep.
But here’s the catch. Taking phones away suddenly can backfire badly, experts warn. Dr. Siggie Cohen, child development specialist and author of You Are The Parent, told reporters that pushback from children doesn’t mean the boundary is wrong. Parents can support their children through discomfort without immediately cing limits.
The better approach? Start planning weeks in advance. Dr. Sarah Edwards, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital, recommends writing down schedules with children rather than announcing device restrictions the night before school starts. Communication matters more than confiscation.
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