How to Get Your Teen Off Their Phone (Without Taking It Away)

Does it feel like you're always competing with your teen's phone for their attention? Many of us worry that endless scrolling is replacing curiosity, conversation, and family time. But what if getting your teen off their phone isn't about taking it away? What if it's about giving them something better to move toward?

👉 Want your teen to choose time with you over another hour of scrolling? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set screen limits without the battles, connect through their teen's interests, and get their teen talking to them again. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Ty Allan Jackson, an award-winning children's book author, literacy advocate, and youth motivational speaker. We talk about why phones aren't the real enemy, how to set screen time boundaries without constant conflict, and simple ways to make teens want to spend more time with you.

Ty believes there's no kid who doesn't love to read. There are only kids who haven't found the right book yet. And the same goes for connection.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• How to reduce screen time without constant power struggles
• Why connection works better than trying to control phone use
• How to spark curiosity and reading by building on what your teen already loves
• Why asking your teen to teach you something builds confidence and conversation
• Simple ways to set tech boundaries while strengthening your relationship

 

EPISODE CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Why screens are crowding out curiosity
• 02:54 How reading changed Ty's life
• 05:50 Building connection beyond screens
• 09:00 How to find the right book for your teen
• 11:49 Why relationships open up communication
• 14:55 Setting screen time boundaries
• 18:02 Connecting through your teen's interests
• 21:00 Why joy matters: being a playful parent

 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Ty Allan Jackson's books

 

CONNECT WITH TY ALLAN JACKSON

• Website: TyAllanJackson.com
• Instagram: @TyAllanJackson
• X: @TyAllanJackson
• Facebook: Ty Allan Jackson

 

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• Parenting Teens Academy

 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.

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