"I think all of us wish our family spent more time off screens. We wish our kids would play with the toys cluttering the house and that they would run around outside together. We wish we didn't turn to screens as a way to keep our kids occupied, and we wish we had the energy to tackle our to-do lists instead of feeling overwhelmed and doomscrolling."
""A digital detox is much more than simply setting a phone aside because our devices are, in large part, designed to be addictive," Dr. Scott Kollins, psychologist and Chief Medical Officer at Aura, tells Scary Mommy. "Every message, like, or new piece of content serves as a reinforcer - making it more likely that the behavior that led to the outcome will be repeated. Over time, these micro-rewards train us to seek that instant gratification repeatedly, creating a habitual loop that is hard to break.""
Many families imagine an easy switch to screen-free time, but habit and device design make it difficult. Devices deliver micro-rewards — likes, messages, new content — that reinforce checking behavior and encourage instant gratification. Parents often rely on screens to occupy children, and digital distractions contribute to doomscrolling and reduced energy for tasks. Though apps and retreats exist to limit access, addictive interfaces and ingrained routines cause frequent relapses. A home-based digital detox offers a practical, lower-cost reset by intentionally setting devices aside and replacing screen time with analog activities, family interaction, and structured alternatives.
Read at Scary Mommy
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