{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"204: Why ADHD Symptoms Are Exploding in the Digital Age (& What Parents Can Do About It) with Logan McIlwain","description":"What if it\u2019s not just ADHD getting worse, but the world your child is growing up in? In this week\u2019s episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with licensed therapist Logan McIlwain to unpack what\u2019s really happening to kids\u2019 brains in today\u2019s digital world. From constant notifications to endless scrolling, today\u2019s children are growing up in an environment of nonstop stimulation, and for kids with ADHD, that impact can be intense. You\u2019ll hear why screens don\u2019t create ADHD but can absolutely amplify symptoms like inattention, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. Logan breaks down what\u2019s happening in the brain with dopamine, why kids struggle to \u201cjust turn it off,\u201d and how devices can quietly become a child\u2019s primary coping tool. Together, they also tackle one of the biggest challenges parents face today: setting boundaries without triggering meltdowns. If taking the phone away feels like a full nervous system explosion in your home, this episode will help you understand why and what to do instead. Most importantly, you\u2019ll walk away with practical, realistic strategies you can start using right away. From creating consistent guardrails to helping your child build real-life regulation skills, this conversation is about supporting your child in the digital age. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW https:\/\/loganlcsw.com The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt: https:\/\/amzn.to\/41vDzba The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene: https:\/\/amzn.to\/4taYzAj KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:01] Modern childhood overstimulation explained [02:10] Screens amplify ADHD symptoms [06:10] Environment vs diagnosis debate [09:32] Difference between distraction and ADHD [13:03] Dopamine and addictive screen loops [14:48] Loss of boredom tolerance [17:01] Screens as emotional coping tools [19:15] Importance of consistent boundaries [22:10] How to reset screen habits [25:34] Monitoring apps and content [29:43] Externalizing executive function [31:10] Small changes reduce nervous system overload MEMORABLE MOMENTS \u201cWhen did childhood get so loud?\u201d \u201cThere is absolutely no way my brain could have handled this much input.\u201d \u201cPhones don\u2019t create true ADHD, but they absolutely create ADHD-like symptoms.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s like this slot machine effect.\u201d \u201cOur kids in this generation don\u2019t know how to be bored at all.\u201d \u201cThese devices have become their emotional regulation tools.\u201d \u201cYou can exercise your boundary muscle over and over again.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t ask a struggling brain to do everything internally.\u201d \u201cWe handed our children these tiny slot machines.\u201d DANA KAY RESOURCES \ud83d\udd17 WEBSITES: https:\/\/adhdthriveinstitute.com\/ https:\/\/dana-kay.com\/ \ud83d\udc4b SOCIALS: Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ADHDThriveInstitute\/ Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/adhdthriveinstitute\/ YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/adhd-thrive-institute\/ Pinterest: https:\/\/www.pinterest.ph\/adhdthriveinstitute\/ Tiktok: https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@adhd_thriveinstitute \ud83d\udcd5 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD \u2013 https:\/\/adhdthriveinstitute.com\/book\/ \ud83d\udcbb FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https:\/\/hubs.la\/Q042HrjF0 \u2b50 COURSES & PROGRAMS:  ADHD Parenting Course \u2013 https:\/\/info.adhdthriveinstitute.com\/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program \u2013 https:\/\/adhdthriveinstitute.com\/packages\/ ","author_name":"Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD","author_url":"http:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/402857\/site","html":"