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This week, both All Pro Dad and iMOM ask, “How is your phone use affecting your kid?” For insight, we consulted Joey Odom, the co-founder of Aro. His company was started by him and a buddy, Heath Wilson. The dads hoped to help families like theirs talk openly about screen time and the tension that exists between us and our smartphones. Odom has done a ton of research focusing on the life that happens once we put down the phones.

Screens are part of daily life. From smartphones to tablets, we find ourselves constantly connected. However, this comes with hidden costs, especially for parents. Studies have shown that parents who are frequently on their devices are less engaged with their children, leading to a decrease in meaningful interactions. This can result in children feeling neglected or undervalued and can hinder self-esteem.

Reducing screen time is key. Odom says to start small, reducing your screen time by 15 minutes each day, and cutting further from there. The Aro app is a great tool for this, and helps users track and manage screen time.

It won’t work if we ask kids to do something we’re not willing to do ourselves. Parents should lead by example with phones, demonstrating healthy digital habits that children can emulate. A small move you can try this week is to not bring your phone to the dinner table.

Odom’s three suggestions for parents:
1.Spend an hour apart from your phone daily
2.Establish sacred times and spaces in your home
3.Search for opportunities for connection

Bottom line: Your phone is a powerful tool that can overpower everything in your life if you let it.

SAVE MONEY!! Aro is giving All Pro Dad and iMOM listeners a discount on its Aro box. Use the code FAMILYFIRST at checkout to save.

Other resources:
All Pro Dad Episode 39 – Is My Kid Addicted to Screen Time?

iMOM Episode 66 – Is Your Family Experiencing Technoference?

iMOM Episode 80 – Socializing Through Screens

10 Rules For Children and Cell Phones

4 Ways Your Teenager’s Phone is Trying to Replace You

3 Warnings to Dads Before Your Give Your Kids a Phone

Learn more about Aro

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