The Tween Phone Battle: Holding the Line Without Losing Connection

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Content provided by Dr Justin Coulson. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Dr Justin Coulson or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

1d ago 15:02

MP3•Episode home

“Everyone else has one!” If you’ve ever heard this plea from your tween about getting a smartphone, you’re not alone. In today’s Q&A episode, Justin and Kylie unpack one dad’s dilemma: a 12-year-old desperate for a phone, parents holding out until Year 8, and the daily battles in between. You’ll hear why one big conversation won’t work, how to keep your child engaged without caving, and three practical strategies to hold the line without losing connection.

KEY POINTS

Why no single conversation will “solve” the phone debate
The 3 E’s of effective discipline (Explore, Explain, Empower)
How to use outside voices (content creators, school assignments) to make the case
Why it helps to talk with other parents — your child isn’t always “the only one”
The ongoing reality: even once they get a phone, the battles don’t stop

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“You don’t just get compliance when kids understand your decision — you get buy-in.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson
Content creators: Jonathan Haidt, Official Herd, Dr Brad Marshall (“The Unplugged Psychologist”), Freya India
[Study] Blocking mobile internet on smartphones improves sustained attention, mental health, and subjective well-being
The Heads Up Alliance - Australian families delaying social media and smartphones for children, together
Wait Until 8th
Rebecca Sparrow's FREE download "Beginner Phones for Tweens and Teens"

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

Keep the conversations ongoing — not one-and-done.
Use external voices and resources to reinforce your message.
Encourage your child to research and present arguments for and against screens.
Connect with other parents to reality-check the “everyone else has one” claim.
Focus on understanding and buy-in, not just rules.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1345 episodes

#Society #Parenting #Relationship #Kids And Families #Dr Justin Coulsons #Topics Discussions