How much screen time is too much — and what is it doing to kids?

In this episode of HELLO FUTURE, Kevin Cirilli speaks with Jennifer Kelman, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health expert with more than 30 years of experience working with teens and families.

The conversation comes as new data raises serious questions about the relationship between screen time and youth mental health. According to the CDC, teens who spend four or more hours a day on screens are twice as likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with those who spend less time online.

Cirilli and Kelman explore why the modern digital environment can amplify stress and isolation for young people — and how the constant feedback loop of social media, notifications, and online comparison can worsen anxiety.

They also discuss what a “digital detox” actually looks like in practice, why simply banning screens often backfires, and how parents can start healthier conversations with their kids about technology without making devices the enemy.

As technology continues to shape how young people grow up, this episode asks a simple but urgent question: how can families build a healthier relationship with the digital world?

Listen to learn practical strategies for navigating screens, social media, and mental health in the age of constant connectivity.