Why your child can’t put the tablet down (and anger follows)

Problem You say: "Time's up." They ignore you. You take the tablet. They scream.

You think: "They are addicted."

What’s actually happening It’s not addiction. It’s a crash.

Screens give constant, effortless stimulation. When you take it away, their brain drops to zero.

The anger is just the brain suddenly feeling empty.

The mistake most parents make You negotiate time.

"Just 5 more minutes."

But 5 minutes doesn't change the drop. It just delays the crash.

What works instead **1. Don't pull the plug immediately** Give them a transition task.

Ask them to show you what they are playing. Engage their real-world brain before removing the screen.

2. Set the rule, not the timer "We play before dinner. Dinner stops play."

Events are stronger boundaries than a ticking clock.

What to do next Stop arguing over minutes.

Start with: * Catching Distraction * Just for a Moment

These sessions teach your child to notice the pull of the screen and step back.

If this sounds familiar, don’t try to fix it randomly.