Psychologist shares three major reasons why teens shouldn't have any tech in their bedrooms

Every kid growing up in recent years has gotten access to smartphones, the internet and various other gadgets. Whether it is a toddler or a teen, all of them stay glued to their tech devices either for the sake of entertainment or work. But in a world surrounded by tech advancement, it can get difficult for parents to regulate the screen time of their kids and as a result, a lot of youngsters get addicted to smartphones and scrolling through social media from an early age.

However, Lisa Damour (@lisa.damour on Instagram), a psychologist with a PhD in her field, mom and author of three New York Times best-selling books, states that parents need to learn how to balance and limit screen usage of their kids and not completely take it away from them. “Parents often ask me, ‘If you could make just one rule when it comes to teens and technology, what would it be?’" she says at the beginning of her Instagram video.

Damour has a simple response to this question. She recommends that parents not allow kids to have any technology in their bedroom, especially when they go to bed, as this prevents kids from scrolling on their phones overnight. Damour explains that if the kids don’t have their phones or technology in their room at night, they’re going to get better sleep. “We know there’s a huge link between quality sleep and quality mental health,” she remarked. The second thing she suggests to parents is all about letting their teens use technology in the "spaces that are public at home."

This essentially helps teenagers to remember that everything that happens on their phones or their computers is ultimately something that can go public. “I think being able to use these devices behind closed doors can sometimes make that a murky point, when we want it to be crystal clear,” Damour noted. “Some of the most regrettable things I have seen teenagers do with their technology have been things that they do in the middle of the night, at like one in the morning when their brakes are weak, their impulses are strong. And so not having access to technology through the night is something that can help teenagers stay on the right track, and not do something they wish they hadn’t done."

The comment section of Damour's video was soon filled with concerned parents trying to find a solution for screen addiction in their rebellious teens and even younger kids. @franzelaufdemweg lamented: "My son is 16 and my daughter 15 years old. They are almost all the time in their bedrooms. And so are their phones. Here in Sweden, I am not allowed to check my kids' bank accounts or get the results from their doctor's appointments. From 13 years on they have to do all these things on their own. Kids are conscious of their rights, so I need good advice to convince my kids to leave their phones in the kitchen."

@anakh73 wrote: "We do not allow laptops, phones or any technology in the bedroom overnight. However, when that phone goes with him in the bathroom, it makes me nauseous. He always says it’s to listen to music and we constantly are having the conversation about never thinking that something sent out on a platform that instantly disappears is not traceable to you and may not bite you at a later time." @betterscreentime added: "Yes! I’ve always taught parents this is the one non-negotiable and have also said it’s the one thing I recommend. Best part? I’ve lived it myself for over 5 years. It’s life-changing—and that is the best way to lead our kids and help them see that their bedroom can be a sanctuary."

You can follow Lisa (@lisa.damour) on Instagram for more mental health-related content.