“This Actress’s Clever Trick Has Kids Saying ‘No’ to Smartphones!”

By Familyguide® Contributor

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, a well-known Hollywood couple, have devised what they consider an effective approach to combat the growing issue of screen and social media addiction among young people.

Their strategy involves being transparent with their children about the addictive nature of smartphones from the very beginning.

During a recent appearance on THE VIEW, Bell elaborated on their method. “We initiated conversations with our kids by describing phones as a trick. We found this to be an intriguing way to introduce the concept,” she explained. “Whenever my husband or I would use our phones, we’d say, ‘You know, this device has all sorts of tricks inside that make me want to keep coming back to it.'”

This approach has resulted in their daughters Delta, 9, and Lincoln, 11, developing a cautious attitude towards smartphones.

Bell also expressed gratitude for the ongoing research and exploration into the effects of screen use on children. “I’m really glad people are investigating this,” she stated. “With every new technology – take cars for example. Cars are fantastic, they get us everywhere! But then we realized, ‘Oh no, accidents. We need to implement seatbelts.'”

She added, “We’ll need to evolve our understanding and how we’re looking after those who use this technology.”

Familyguide® recently highlighted some potential risks associated with excessive screen time:

A study conducted by JAMA Paediatrics last month linked toddlers’ screen time to unusual sensory processing. They discovered that excessive screen time can lead to sensory processing issues.

“Sensory processing involves integrating information received through the body’s sensory systems … to perceive and understand the world around the individual,” explained Dr. Karen Heffler and David Bennett, two of the study’s authors.

“Various behaviors can indicate a sensory processing issue. A child might seek out sensory behaviors, such as spinning their body, or they might avoid a sensory experience by refusing to try new food,” HuffPost reported. However, “these responses alone don’t necessarily indicate a problem.”

Shepard and Bell have been outspoken about shielding their children from screens in the past.

“We don’t have a phone issue because they’re not part of the equation,” Shepard explained in 2022 regarding their screen time management. “And iPods, iPads, and video games aren’t in the mix either.”

As their daughters have grown older, they now have iPods for texting and listening to music, but still no cell phones, according to Momtastic.