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Frazzled parents turn to screen-time coaches, $8,000 detox camps to rein in kids’ tech
Washington Post ^ | November 17, 2025 | Heather Kelly

Posted on 11/17/2025 11:18:12 AM PST by grundle

Managing technology has become an overwhelming part of modern parenting. Caregivers are trying to be IT departments, screen-time police, content filters and scam educators. They have to keep up with the latest risks, like AI companions, while struggling with their own tech usage. To cope, some adults are seeking outside help from specialists like Towle, parenting coaches, online communities and even camps where they can send their kids for a technology “detox.”

“Technology kind of snuck up on us as a society,” said Michael Jacobus, executive director of the Reset Summer Camp for digital detox in Santa Barbara, California. “We didn’t really understand the addictive nature of it until it was too late.”

For four weeks, a group of around three dozen teenagers lives in college dorms with no tech access. The camp costs just under $8,000 per camper. The first week, says Jacobus, is rough but eventually the kids — who are 13 to 18 — adjust to the schedules and relearn how to spend time offline. Since he started the camp in 2017, Jacobus says he’s seen the technology itself change but the problems largely stay the same: too many caregivers giving kids smartphones early, and then failing to maintain control of how much they’re used.

“Quite honestly, parents are looking for outside sources because they are reluctant to be parents,” he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


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1 posted on 11/17/2025 11:18:12 AM PST by grundle
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To: grundle

“Quite honestly, parents are looking for outside sources because they are reluctant to be parents,” he said.”
-

Good grief.....SMH


2 posted on 11/17/2025 11:20:30 AM PST by V_TWIN (RIP Charlie Kirk)
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To: V_TWIN

My dad had a cure for stuff: yard work.


3 posted on 11/17/2025 11:24:09 AM PST by ealgeone
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To: grundle
The camp costs just under $8,000 per camper.


4 posted on 11/17/2025 11:26:14 AM PST by Opinionated Blowhard (When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.)
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To: grundle

I heard: “Turn off that radio/TV and go outside!”


5 posted on 11/17/2025 1:45:47 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Annnd....TRUMP IS RIGHT AGAIN.)
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To: grundle
Just saved $8000 dollars...


6 posted on 11/17/2025 3:38:01 PM PST by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: V_TWIN
“Quite honestly, parents are looking for outside sources because they are reluctant to be parents,” he said.”

And he nails it with that comment.

7 posted on 11/17/2025 4:07:08 PM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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