We often have a very real sense that digital technology can do damage to our wellbeing, and sometimes in ways that feel seriously worrying. But when we try to actually talk about it, we often fall back on vague phrases: tech is “bad for mental health” or tech is “addictive”.

Does this sort of messaging actually help parents and families make better decisions? Or do they just make us feel stuck between panic and helplessness?

In this week’s episode, Andy and Pete explore why our public conversations about tech often get stuck in fear, and how we might move toward more helpful ways of thinking and talking about screens, wellbeing and family life.

Show notes

Andy’s research on the link between exposure to video games and positive/negative beliefs about their effects.

Andy and Pete’s NYT op-ed at the start of the pandemic.

Two books which are coming out soon that will give parents a much wider variety of tools and approaches to having tech conversations and setting boundaries:

Tech-Smart Parenting by Cath Knibbs (out 31 July)

The Smartphone Solution by Martha Deiros-Collado (out 28 August)

And two which put the focus on adolescence specifically:

Coming of Age by Lucy Foulkes (paperback out 10 July)

How We Grow Up by Matt Richtel (out 28 August)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit screensensepodcast.substack.com

Episode 4: Why do we find it so difficult to talk about tech effects?