81: Kids & Phones: What’s the Right Balance? (with Sissy Goff)

Getting a phone is a huge step for a kid (and their parent!), and there’s a lot to figure out: what’s the right age to get one? How can we help them use it in a healthy way? Social media, or no? Emily’s been asking these questions herself  since her sixth-grader Brady got his first phone a few weeks ago. And to get some advice, she’s turned to child and adolescent counselor Sissy Goff! Sissy’s a favorite around here (her episode on helping kids manage anxiety in Episode 30 is one of our most downloaded episodes ever), and this week she and Emily talk about how to help kids create a healthy relationship with technology. Sissy shares a ton of great info in this episode, including: how to build healthy boundaries around phones, which apps keep kids physically safe and mentally well when using their phones, and how to soothe hurt feelings when friends have tech privileges they don’t.    Thanks to our episode sponsors!   GUSTO | Build a great workplace for your employees! Get your first three months free at https://gusto.com/simplified    OUTSCHOOL | Help your kid love to learn—and having fun doing it! Save $15 on your child’s first class with code simplified at https://outschool.com/simplified   GLADSKIN | Rethink eczema treatment—tame inflammation and help skin heal! Get 15% off (plus free shipping!) at https://gladskin.com/simplified    * * * GET AD-FREE LISTENING + EARLY ACCESS TO NEW EPISODES https://apple.co/3ICMUmk  * * * SHOW NOTES emilyley.com/podcast * * * PRE-ORDER EMILY’S NEW BOOK Sure as the Sunrise: 100 Morning Meditations on God’s Mercy and Delight * * * SUBSCRIBE Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube * * * LET’S BE FRIENDS! Simplified: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest Emily Ley: Instagram | Facebook