Ep. 2 The ADHD Guys Podcast: A Screen Debate: Is Screen Use An Addictive Behavior?

[@abfab9065]

I used to be very anti video games/screen time. Still am not a fan, however I finally caved and got my son a PS5. It has dramatically improved his social relationships. Friends have commented on how awesome it is that he knows how to play when he visits them and he can now participate in conversations about games that he couldn't before. It also means that boys are more likely to come to our house to play video games and hang out allowing us to improve his social executive function skills. At the same time he can easily become addicted, so I am very strict about parental controls, limiting screen time and setting expectations to earn screen time. Most of his friends get unlimited screen time so it can be challenging sometimes.

[@elenat.2092]

Hi Ryan and Mike! Just wanted to congratulate you both on your new podcast. I am sure it will be a great source of information and inspiration for many parents who struggle with their children. Thank you for everything you are doing! I will forever be grateful for finding you both!

[@ADHDDude]

Thank you so much!!

[@jdawg414]

I’d call my 9 y/o daughter’s reaction to me taking away her iPad as withdrawal level which leads me to believe it was an addiction.

[@ADHDDude]

That's not addiction, that's a natural response for a child with ADHD when parents respond reactively to behavior.

[@jessieptak8593]

thanks so much for all of this, and for sharing this conversation! i do think it’s important to consider the findings around blue light, how it affects hormone and addiction-leaning behaviors and brain chemistry, as well as its effects on circadian rhythm - and how this can affect any human overall. i wonder how this can tie into the adhd conversation 🤔

[@ADHDDude]

Excellent point

[@soniacasanova384]

Yes screen addiction is across the spectrum of mental health disorders. I worked with law enforcement responding to several calls due to children blowing up because the screen was taken away. Parents are afraid to intervene because of the threats

[@480brad]

Great video! I appreciate the discussion that online games are not social. Super cool stuff!

[@ADHDDude]

Thanks for watching!

[@rpouncy]

Ryan, thank you very much for your reply. We must review the video "Scaffolding Better Behavior." We do have parameters for access through wifi app controls.

[@carawestgate]

I'm team Ryan. For my ADHD kids games are "not an addiction". In the last two weeks I have greatly reduced my kids game time from unlimited to 2.5 hours and increased expectations. It has been WAY easier than I had worked it up in my mind. No tantrums, they are happily doing chores and playing outdoors for hours. We are going to gradually reduce to one hour. I have also noticed the kids aren't even using their full game time some days.

[@ADHDDude]

So glad to hear this!!

[@jenlittle7990]

What can we do about the screen problem in schools? Textbooks don't exist anymore. My middle schooler spends about five hours a day on a Chromebook during school hours doing work on Google Classroom.

[@ADHDDude]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4K1hJp8rreSa7ssi=CKMYlKAozjj4s9CY

[@andrealogan4354]

Hey y’all! I am a pediatrician as well as a mom of a daughter with ADHD, and an ADHD patient myself. Thank you so much for this practical advice! I completely agree with what you are seeing in parents struggling lately to be the parent, and feeling afraid to harm or traumatize the child. I will definitely be adopting some of your phrasing when I talk to my patient parents!

[@dylanreinboth9577]

Fantastic episode guys, great work

[@ADHDDude]

Thanks a ton!

[@TrekieGal]

😅 me sitting here having taught my 5 year old kindergartener a multiplication lesson today 😂 In all seriousness, I enjoyed the episode. My kids aren't hooked on video games, but even a simple TV show or a truly basic educational computer game can set off multiple of my children and I've got another hooked on books the way you describe being hooked on video games.

[@iamneverwrong6635]

Feeling this!!! All of this! It’s exhausting to keep up with!!! I have twins-my son is AdHD AND TYPE 1 😂

[@ADHDDude]

that is exhausting

[@rpouncy]

Thank you both for the important information. You talked about addiction and my son's unchecked gaming / screentime resulted in porn access and (as I viewed it) addiction. He accessed the web and hide the sites on the playstation platform. He is 16, has ADHD and once the content was discovered on the playstation, it was discoveres on his other devices as well. I like the idea of removing the devices, and did so for 3 months until our home imploded. His mom feels that he needs to be allowed the devices and that he is being harmed and over- punished. As a step-parent, I feel academics and gaming is a receipe for failure. He does not self regulate for school work nor has that sense for time. I find him him crafty and highly capable of manipulation. How can we keep up?

[@ADHDDude]

1. What you are describing is most likely not "addiction"; instead, it is problematic use. As mentioned in this episode, people have a tendency to use the word "addiction" too liberally. For many parents, the idea that their son has sexual interests is profoundly uncomfortable for them; thus, they tend to label pornography use as "addiction." The vast majority of adolescent boys view pornography on a regular basis. Are the expectations in the home for earning screen time, or are smartphones and internet access entitlements? Are there parameters for when devices can be used? This is covered in Scaffolding Better Behavior.

[@andrealogan4354]

Something else that recently occurred to me regarding video games: they are always single player online games. You can’t get a group of boys together in person to play Mario Kart or Donkey Konga where they interact face to face in the den.

[@ADHDDude]

Well they're not actually interacting face to face if they're all in front of screens at their own homes. Kids do get together and play games together

[@ayesha4061]

Do the same screen time rules apply to cell phones? We don’t have video game issues but cell phone usage (teens)

[@ADHDDude]

They certainly could. There is a phone expectations letter in the downloadables section of the membership site.

[@ErickaPayne-o1w]

what are your thoughts about educational games that have a quicks stimulus response cycle but they are learning math or reading?

[@ADHDDude]

I dont have a background in ed tech so I don't feel qualified to answer that.

[@beierko1]

What about educational shows or educational games? For example, games or shows that teach them about the alphabet, language, math, etc?

[@ADHDDude]

I think they're harmless.

[@OomSeamus]

Any advice on how to help a recently diagnosed 18 yr old with ASD who has screen addicted behavior? I've always enforced limits but not sure what to do since becoming an "adult". Thank you.

[@ADHDDude]

1. When I hear of a recently diagnosed 18year old I always question the diagnosis as there is a profound amount of misdiagnosing and overdiagnosing of autism right now. We have an episode dedicated to this topic I suggest you listen to. 2. What people often refer to as "screen addiction" is not addiction at all, it's problmeatic use. Are the expectations in the home for earning screen time or are smartphones, internet access entitlements? Are there parameters around when devices can be used? If an 18 year old is living in your house, you are supporting them financially, they are not an "adult". The things I brought up here are covere in Scaffolding Better Behavior, the Parent Behavior Training program.

[@jdawg414]

I wish i had these recommendations when raising my 25 yo daughter. I feel like I just royally screwed her socially because I allowed so much gaming time. Not sure if it’s too late?😢

[@ADHDDude]

I promise you did not mess her up and it's never too late.

[@Lneicu]

But what to do and how to manage The situation with a 13 jears old teenager with AdHD, with no friends, living in a small countrytown? What should he spend his Free Time without screens and his virtual friends?

[@ADHDDude]

Through community activities where he can be with similar age-peers in real life. You cannot go through life having nothing but virtual interactions and online "friends"

[@colleenrathbone3765]

You both seem to use the terms screen time and video games interchangeahly. When I think of screen time it includes TV. Does TV have some of the same issues as games but maybe less so?

[@ADHDDude]

Good question, for me, it does not. I don't see the problems with TV I see with video games, social media, etc.

[@CyMari777]

What is your opinion regarding the usage of stimulants to manage ADHD such as methylphenidate, like Concerta and Ritalin?

[@ADHDDude]

I follow the American Academy of Pediatrics ADHD treatment recommendations which include the use of medication. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ2kh4avoc6ih9Esi=98z3aX-xXKRAesY2

[@CyMari777]

Thank you so much