Does this sound like your child?
You’ve set screen time limits. You’ve taken away the tablet, hidden the Xbox, or tried “earning” time through chores. But no matter what you do, your child’s world still seems to revolve around technology. Arguments about screens are constant, and family time feels like a battle instead of a break.
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It’s not that your child doesn’t care about anything else. Many kids use video games, phones, or social media to cope with stress, boredom, or loneliness. But too much screen time can get in the way of sleep, school, and real-life friendships.
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Kids and teens struggling with tech overuse often:
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Have daily battles with parents about screens
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Withdraw from family activities to be online or gaming
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Show irritability, anger, or meltdowns when asked to stop
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Stay up late using technology and struggle with fatigue the next day
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Lose interest in hobbies, sports, or in-person friendships
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If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many families feel stuck in the cycle of screen time conflict.
At PlayWorks, We Help Kids and Teens Build Balance With Technology
Many kids use screens as a way to regulate emotions. Gaming, scrolling, and streaming can temporarily soothe boredom, anxiety, or stress. Therapy helps kids discover healthier coping tools they can actually use in daily life.
Technology is part of modern life, and avoiding it completely is rarely realistic. At PlayWorks, we focus on helping kids develop balance, boundaries, and coping strategies so that tech is a tool, not a trap.
Through play and neuroscience-informed approaches, we help kids and teens:
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Build emotional regulation and calming strategies that reduce meltdowns over screens
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Strengthen problem-solving, flexibility, and frustration tolerance
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Learn to shift from online to offline activities without a fight
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Reconnect with family and rebuild real-life social skills
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Explore healthy interests beyond gaming or social media
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Improve self-esteem and confidence outside of the digital world
Based on a 2025 study by Mentes et al., a play-based intervention significantly reduced internet addiction severity and daily internet usage in adolescents.
Why is Play Based Therapy So Effective for Social Challenges?
Tech struggles are not about laziness or “bad habits.” Kids’ brains are wired to seek dopamine, and screens deliver it instantly. With guided play, children strengthen brain pathways for patience, self-control, and real-world connection.
Because tech struggles are rarely about the technology itself. Screens often become a way to cope with big emotions, loneliness, or frustration. Play therapy allows children to express those feelings safely and practice healthier habits in real time.
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The brain’s reward system, including dopamine pathways, can become overstimulated by constant gaming or scrolling. This makes stopping incredibly hard. Play therapy helps calm the stress response and rewires the brain’s ability to find joy and regulation in other activities.
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Over time, kids learn to:
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Pause before grabbing for a device
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Use calming strategies when they feel restless or upset
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Enjoy hobbies and social time outside of screens
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Strengthen focus and motivation for school, sports, and family life
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Build a healthier relationship with technology that supports, not hinders, growth
Why Wilmington Parents Choose PlayWorks for Tech & Gaming Support
We see beyond the screen
We know that tech overuse is usually a sign of deeper needs like stress relief, loneliness, or difficulty with regulation. We help kids address the “why” underneath the behavior.
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We are neuroscience-informed
Our therapists use brain-based, evidence-informed strategies to reduce reliance on technology and build real-world coping skills.
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We support YOU too
You’ll get practical strategies and parent check-ins that help reduce family conflict around screen time.
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We honor the whole child
We don’t just reduce hours of gaming or scrolling — we support confidence, identity, and resilience so your child thrives offline and online.
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We’re inclusive and affirming
Every child deserves a safe, welcoming space. Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed care, LGBTQ+ affirming care, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
You’re Not Alone & It’s Not Too Late
Raising a child who seems “glued to a screen” can feel exhausting and discouraging. You may worry about their future, their friendships, or whether they will ever care about anything beyond technology. The good news is that with the right support, kids can learn balance, self-control, and new ways to connect.
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At PlayWorks, therapy is child-first, family-focused, and grounded in neuroscience. Together, we will help your child move past screen time struggles and into healthier patterns of connection, confidence, and growth.
We’re located in Wilmington, NC and work with children, teens, and families across the Cape Fear region. Schedule your free 20-minute parent consult or start the intake process here.