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Feb 26 6-7:30pm

Franklin Elementary School

Summit, NJ

Technology and Child Mental Health

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This presentation covers the impact of screen use on child and teen mental health. Dr. Larsen addresses the research on screen use in kids and provides parents with useful tools for protecting their children from the negative impacts. 

❋ Principles of Behavioral Addiction

Screens are designed to be addictive. Dr. Larsen explains how app developers use behavioral psychology to hook users. 

❋  Impact of Social Media Use

Heavy use of social media blocks children from opportunities to develop social skills in real life. Dr. Larsen explains how this is having a devastating impact on Gen Z and how parents can help Gen Alpha and beyond avoid the pitfalls of heavy social media use. 

❋ Community Interventions

Social Media has a network effect. That is, it is powerful because so many people use it and this leads people who abstain with concerns about being left behind. What if the whole community banded together to protect our kids from social media and addictive gaming? Dr. Larsen presents several ideas on how to do this effectively. 

❋ Family Level Support

Dr. Larsen addresses the concerns of parents by delving into home life. She presents two case studies of real families she has worked with facing gaming addiction and eating disorders precipitated by pro-anorexia social media influencers. Dr. Larsen gives parents communication prompts to help facilitate family discussions and set family expectations for media use in the home.

Security Resources

Security Resources help parents block content, filter unwanted content, and protect their children form online predators. 

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Routers

Smart Phone Monitor

Enlist Bark if you need help monitoring. Bark monitors texts, email, YouTube, and 24+ social media platforms for signs of potential issues.

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Support

Need More Help? Learn more about therapy at Larsen Behavioral Wellness

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  • "Therapy helped me get a handle on my gaming. I didn't realize how it had taken over my life. My therapist helped me track my use and gave me tools to help calm my urges to go online. I ended up playing more sports and being in the real world. My brain feels better."

    Former Client, male, age 13

  • "As a parent, I was totally unaware of the dangers being online posed to my teen. I learned the hard way that I need to be supervising my teen's online presence just as much as I monitor her in real life. Our therapist helped us talk through online dangers and privacy."."

    Former Client, Mom of a 15 year old girl

  • "Therapy has been such a worthwhile investment in myself. I've been able to build something in real life that is better than anything the online world offered me."

    Former Client, male, 23 years old, former gamer and porn addict