We were honored to be featured on KET Kentucky Edition to discuss the growing impact of screen use on children and adolescents, as well as emerging research showing that even a small break from smartphone use may help improve cognitive functioning.
Below you can watch the full segment featuring our own Hannah Klein, LCSW and Haley Herndon, PA-C, CAQ-Psych. Both are deeply passionate about helping our youngest clients build healthier relationships with technology—not only because of what the research shows, but because of what they hear from patients and families every day.
During the segment, our own Hannah Klein, LCSW, Director of Clinical Operations, shared an important perspective on how screen habits may be affecting attention, resilience, and critical thinking:
“We’re not learning to sit with some discomfort…It highlights the fact…that when you’re not using your brain every day with critical thinking, you lose that skill and have to relearn it.”
Hannah Klein, LCSW, Director of Clinical Operations featured on KET’s Kentucky Edition
As Haley shared during the segment:
“We’re seeing studies on 2-year-olds and are already seeing changes in the white matter of those children who have screen time versus those who do not. There are structural changes… later on those same children are likely to have cognitive delay.”
Haley Herndon, PA-C, CAQ-Psych, as featured on KET Kentucky Edition
At Lumera Healthcare, we are seeing firsthand how digital habits affect emotional wellness, focus, sleep, family dynamics, and developmental outcomes. Between what we are observing across our therapy and medical offices, along with the latest research, we are continuing to build programming around social media use and healthy digital habits.
Haley has also led several seminars on what a healthy digital family can look like, offering guidance such as:
- Younger than 18 months, avoid screentime except for video chatting
- Children 2 to 5 years: Limit screen time to 1 hour per day of high- quality programs.
- 12-18 years old: Use blockers and monitor device regularly for inappropriate content.
- Set Clear Expectations: Establish and enforce screen time limits and consequences.
- Use Parental Controls: Monitor and restrict content and usage.
- Offer Alternatives: Encourage engaging, non-screen activities like reading, arts, and outdoor play.
We are also excited to share that Lumera is now offering Slow the Scroll: Digital Detox Group to middle and high school students who may benefit from support around screen use, social media, and healthy coping habits. Interested in having your teen join? Learn more and add their name to the waitlist.