Why Kids Are in a Digital Crisis — How to Protect Them from Screen Addiction | Kat Zilka of DisConnect

In this first episode of Screen Less Play More, host Cynthia Dvorak interviews Kat Zilka of Dis/Connect to tackle a growing concern: the digital crisis children face today. We break down: The impacts of excessive screen time on kids' mental health, attention, and social development. Why smartphones, social media and gaming can be addictive — and what "screen addiction" really looks like. Practical, research-backed strategies for parents to reduce screen time and help kids reconnect with real life. How to set healthy digital boundaries, encourage play, and support emotional well-being. Who this episode is for: Parents of babies, toddlers, elementary-age kids, tweens, or teens; educators; caregivers; anyone concerned about healthy media use. Kat Zilka was a high school teacher who realized that her students were in a real mental health crisis. She asked her students to write an essay about their relationship to their phones, and was shocked to read their confessions. "Honestly, if you were to read the essays and insert another substance, like alcohol or drugs into, in place of the phone or in place of social media, it would have been addicts crying for help." Kat formed Dis/Connect to help teens cultivate a more healthy relationship with tech and social media. Our Screen Less Play More podcast interview has some fascinating insights. Learn more about Disconnect at https://www.disconnectme.org/ Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak! Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn about screen time guidelines by age, how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, or teens, this show give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood! It isn't always just about discipline, it's about information, research, and facts.  Modern parents are constantly asking:  What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age?  How can I reduce my child's screen time? How do I get my child off screens? How do I get my son off video games? What are the negative effects of too much screen time on kids?  What are the signs of screen addiction? What should I do if my child is addicted to screens?  What do I do about kids and technology? How do I get my child off screens without a fight? How do you stop screen addiction? Does my child have a video game addiction? What are the benefits of play? How do I get my kids to play more? What are the benefits of reading to kids? What's the best podcast about screens and kids? What is the power of play? What is the Anxious Generation about? How does screen time affect sleep, physical health and mental-well being? Is my child's screen time interfering with their sleep? How to create healthy screen habits? Youtube link to this episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559041665093  What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/ Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/ Help! My kids are addicted to screens, now what? https://screenlessplaymore.com/help-my-kids-are-addicted-to-screens-now-what/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6tYVFH0D-4&t=2580s Is social media safe for kids? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PybOb60ak0E&t=618s https://screenlessplaymore.com/is-social-media-safe-for-kids/ What are the best parenting books about screen time? https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/ Why are kids addicted to screens? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXOGzjQ9JE&t=742s https://screenlessplaymore.com/why-are-kids-so-addicted-to-screens-hint-its-by-design/ Is my child ready for a phone? https://screenlessplaymore.com/your-summer-survival-guide/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5N80zMPRFs&t=37s