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YOTaking your teen’s phone away sounds like the perfect fix: no distractions…
Here’s the catch 👇🏻
* That “drama” you wanted to stop was also their support system — friends they lean on when they feel anxious or overwhelmed.
* That “distraction” you thought you eliminated was actually their main way to self-soothe — scrolling silly videos, listening to music, or texting someone they trust.
* That “attitude” often hides bigger emotions they don’t know how to talk about — stress, loneliness, or feeling left out.
So instead of learning how to handle stress or communicate better, what they often feel is:
❌ Cut off
❌ Misunderstood
❌ Resentful
And usually, the next step isn’t reflection — it’s secrecy: sneaking apps, borrowing devices, or shutting you out.
👉🏻A better path? Work with them to set boundaries that make sense, help them notice the situations that trigger anxiety, and teach coping skills they can use with or without a phone.
Drop a ❤️ if you’re with me on this! And parents- let us know in the comments if you’ve ever tried taking the phone away and whether it actually worked for you
👉🏻FOLLOW @genzanxietytherapist for more relatable mental health tips & education from a licensed therapist
#phones #anxiety #parentingteens #parenting #anxietytips #screentime #discipline #therapistsofinstagram
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