ScreenStrong Families Podcast: What Happens When You Take Your Teens’s Phone Away?

In this episode, Kellyn Smythe, Admission’s Director for Pacific Quest, unpacks a topic many families are quietly struggling with: screen addiction—and why it’s far more serious than we often assume.

Drawing from his experience working in residential treatment with teens, Kellyn explains how screen use isn’t just a habit—it can become a powerful “process addiction” that impacts the brain in ways similar to substance dependency. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping childhood, replacing real-world connection, and making it harder for kids to develop resilience, identity, and meaningful relationships.

From understanding the difference between normal screen use and true addiction, to what actually happens when you take devices away, this conversation gives parents both clarity and hope. You’ll also hear what withdrawal really looks like, how long it takes for kids to reset, and why boredom might be one of the best things for your child.

Listen to the full conversation:
What Happens When You Take Your Teen’s Phone Away: Understanding Screen Addiction & Withdrawal