Frequently asked questions
Do you offer training or seminars about tech safety for schools or groups?
Yes, please see our tab on seminars for information and topics relating to parents or children.
Can you help convince my husband/wife/ex that regulating screen time is important for our children?
Yes, this strategy is discussed during the initial parent meeting with the concerned parent initiating the new tech habits. A neutral 3rd party is a beneficial way to get everyone on the same page and build consistency in expectations and open the door for collaboration and coversation.
Why do we need written tech contract or pledges? Aren't expectations enough?
Verbal expectations are hard for adolescents to follow and leave room for unclear or changing expectations. A written family media plan helps unite families and decrease conflict, keeping everyone on the same clear path based around family values.
What if my kids won't listen to our new plan?
There are many different actions we can discuss taking, but removing devices completely for a detox time is the easiest way to command attention to new rules and negotiate changes that can be implemented in stages.
Won't my kids hate me for doing this?
No. Parenting isn't a popularity contest even though it can feel like one, but your kids won't hate you for setting limits on something they already know is out of control and harmful. It's about setting rules that benefit the well being of the kids and sticking to them. Often co-parenting is very difficult and it's okay to have different rules in different houses if both parents can't be on the same page, we can show you how.
What is a "rewirement plan"
The popular use of the word rewirement in the context of forming new habits with the Screen Time Clinic methods comes from recent research at Yale University that shows new habits are best formed when progress is physically tracked and easily referenced. Adults frequently use Apps to help form new habits and keep accountable to their goals, but for kids we recommend using our customized written format that can be easily displayed and updated by both parents and kids. Weekly progress is easy to see and daily efforts are easy to record.