I wrote this article for Scary Mommy to explain why kids struggle with self-control, especially when on tech. Spoiler: most of the time, they can't help it.
I got the idea for the article while reflecting on a Twitter exchange I saw. A mom asked her twittersphere how to get her son to stop sneaking onto YouTube when he was supposed to be doing virtual school. An early response suggested she teach him "self-regulation." Easier said than done.
The part of the brain responsible for self-control keeps developing well into our twenties. What we see as defiance or choosing not to follow directions could be a wiring issue. The good news is there are ways to help them build the self-control skills they need. It just takes time, practice, and patience.
(The article is a 4-min read)