Eps 471: Resetting unhealthy screen time habits with Michael Jacobus

My guest today is Michael Jacobus, and we’re talking about unhealthy screen time, social media overuse, gaming addiction, and his Reset Summer Camp program.  

Michael shares how his own son becoming addicted to video games and the lack of help & programs available inspired him to create Reset Summer Camp.  We, as parents,  did not know the Pandora’s Box we were opening when we first brought technology and social media into our homes.  We end up feeling guilty and don’t know what to do.  How and why would we?  None of this was available when we were teens! 

Michael posits that over half of the teens in the US have an issue with screen time, and he shares some recommendations for screen time at home (including when you get big, emotional reactions to new limits).  I ask Michael how to first open up this conversation with your teen, how to best roll out social media to younger teens, and we wrap up agreeing that screen time usage is an issue that is truly universal and in every home.  

Guest Description: 

Michael Jacobus is an internationally recognized author, child development specialist, and camp professional.  He has an extensive background in youth-serving nonprofits, staff training, operations, administration, and outdoor education.  

He’s the author of two books for the camp community: “The Camp Director’s Survival Guide” and “Insights and Inspirations,” as well as a new children’s book about summer camp experiences entitled, “I Don’t Want to Go.”  In the summer of 2018, Michael started the world’s first clinical summer camp program for teens and adolescents suffering from unhealthy screen time and social media overuse habits and gaming addiction.  It’s called Reset Summer Camp for Digital Detox and Life Skills.