Psychologist: Digital device use now drives family conflicts with preteens

Psychotherapist Alberto Pellai, an expert in child and adolescent development, says the nature of family conflicts with preteens has shifted dramatically over the past 15 years. Instead of arguments about going out at night or using the motorbike, today's disputes center on screen time and digital device use Source: El Mundo. Pellai, a professor at the University of Milan, warns that excessive technology use negatively impacts cognitive abilities, citing a University of Milan-Bicocca study linking early social media access to reduced academic performance Source: El Mundo.

The reaction

In severe cases, Pellai describes a complete displacement from the real world to the virtual, with loss of interest and motivation—a genuine addiction Source: Clarín. He reports that some young people react violently when parents disconnect devices or take away phones, sometimes hitting parents or threatening self-harm, requiring ambulance calls Source: El Mundo. He attributes these reactions to the sudden interruption of dopaminergic circuits, which are also involved in substance addiction Source: Clarín.

What's next

Pellai advises that parents should not simply remove devices but act as a bridge between the digital world and reality Source: El Mundo. He suggests offering alternatives like board games, excursions, or cycling, while acknowledging that young people are not yet prepared to manage a void due to constant stimulation Source: Clarín. Recovery is possible with family support, though it may initially involve frustration Source: El Mundo.