What if it’s not just ADHD getting worse, but the world your child is growing up in?
In this week’s episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with licensed therapist Logan McIlwain to unpack what’s really happening to kids’ brains in today’s digital world. From constant notifications to endless scrolling, today’s children are growing up in an environment of nonstop stimulation, and for kids with ADHD, that impact can be intense.
You’ll hear why screens don’t create ADHD but can absolutely amplify symptoms like inattention, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. Logan breaks down what’s happening in the brain with dopamine, why kids struggle to “just turn it off,” and how devices can quietly become a child’s 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’ll 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
