U.S. Surgeon General Warns 5 Ds Can Curb Excessive Screen Time in Children

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 10

Interim U.S. Surgeon General Stephanie Haridopolos said early, excessive screen use in young children can delay attention, memory and language development.
Her response is a “5 Ds” framework for parents: Discuss expectations, Do by modeling healthy behavior, Divert children to other activities, Disconnect for screen-free time and Delay device access.
The warning frames screens not as inherently harmful but as a problem when they become children’s main source of entertainment, companionship and stimulation, displacing play and face-to-face interaction.
That shift also broadens social pressure, with likes, views and follower counts increasingly shaping self-worth and putting awkward childhood moments online permanently.
The broader message is to put technology back in its place through habits such as screen-free dinners, device-free car rides and more uninterrupted family time.