Screens and Emotional Dysregulation in Young Children

Angela Rathkamp, PhD, LCPC, NCC, RPT-S, NPT-C, is a developmental psychologist, researcher, professor, and play therapist whose work focuses on emotional regulation, child development, and technology's impact on young children.Margaret Gopaul, PhD, MSCP, is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist with training in neuropsychology, neurophysiology, and clinical psychopharmacology, specializing in epilepsy, cognition, and translational neuroscience research.

"With clarity, compassion, and a strong foundation in current research, Screens and Emotional Dysregulation in Young Children offers an invaluable examination of one of today’s most pressing clinical challenges. By integrating the perspectives of parents and professionals, this book provides practical insight that will benefit clinicians, educators, researchers, and families alike."Abby Tingle, PhD, LCPC, Psychologist/Assessment Specialist, USA"Screens and Emotional Dysregulation in Young Children is an incredible examination of the impact that screen time has on emotional regulation, parent-child relationships, parent-child co-regulation, and a child's development. Drs. Rathkamp and Gopaul are able to translate their research into a framework that is easily accessible and practical for families and providers to employ in clinical practice and in their homes. This publication sets an example for how we can navigate an increasingly digital world. A must-read for every pediatrician."Mithila Jegathesan, MD"In Screens and Emotional Dysregulation in Young Children, Dr Rathkamp and Dr Gopaul challenge us to move beyond counting hours of screen time and instead examine the emotional, developmental, and relational role technology plays in a child's life. They offer clinicians, educators, and parents a thoughtful framework that is both scientifically grounded and deeply practical.This book doesn't ask us to fear technology—it asks us to better understand our children. At a time when families are searching for answers and professionals are looking for evidence-based guidance, this work provides both with compassion, clarity, and hope. It is a timely and important contribution that will help shape the way we support children in developing the emotional resilience and healthy relationships they need to thrive in a digital world."Irina Piatselchyts, Senior Partner, StratACUMEN

• Part I: Understanding Young Children in a Digital Age 1. The Rise of Digital Device Use 2. Technology and Parent-Child Interaction Part II: How Screens Shape Growing Minds 3. Emotional Effects of Young Children’s Digital Device Use 4. Problematic Technology Use in Young Children 5. Technoference, Parental Device Use, Parent Mediation, and Its Positive Influence 6. Emotional Dysregulation and the Neurological Consequences of Technology Overuse 7. Tendency to Digital Technology Addiction Part III: Helping Children Thrive with Technology 8. Comparing Technology-Related Emotional Dysregulation Across Age Groups 9. Where Do We Go from Here?