Let’s have a real talk about something that’s not only pervasive in our digital world but also deeply personal for many of us guiding our kids through the maze of technology—screen addiction. In the spirit of vulnerability and courage, I want to share insights from someone who’s walked a mile in those shoes: Michael Jacobus. With a wealth of experience from over four decades as a summer camp director, Michael stepped into a new arena fueled by his personal journey navigating his son’s gaming addiction. This heart-led venture culminated in the creation of Reset Summer Camp, a beacon for families wrestling with the challenge of screen and gaming addictions.

What stands out about Michael’s approach is his emphasis on digital detox not as an act of deprivation but as a pathway to nurturing healthy family dynamics and embracing our role as parents and educators in this narrative. Originally focusing on gaming addiction, the camp has broadened its horizon to confront all facets of screen addiction, including the magnetic pull of social media and the vortex of content streaming.

Michael dives deep into recognizing the signs of addiction, confronting the stark reality that neither governmental nor parental controls are silver bullets, and highlighting the irreplaceable value of open, honest communication and modeling healthy digital behavior at home. His reflections on how the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these issues strike a chord with the complexities we face today.

But here’s a glimmer of hope—Michael has crafted an online course specifically for us, aiming to arm us with practical tools and strategies to guide our children’s screen time with intention and wisdom.

Sharing Michael’s story and the mission behind Reset Summer Camp isn’t just about spreading the word; it’s about inviting us into a collective journey towards understanding and action. It’s a call to lean into the discomfort of confronting our digital habits and to emerge empowered to create a more balanced relationship with our screens.

Let’s engage in this conversation with open hearts and minds, ready to make small, brave changes that ripple out into the lives of our children, setting them on a path to not just navigate the digital world, but to thrive in it.

BIOGRAPY

Michael Jacobus is an internationally recognized author, child development specialist, and camp professional. He has an extensive background in youth-serving nonprofits, staff training, operations, administration, and outdoor education. Michael has been a Camp Director for over 30 years.

In the summer of 2018, Michael started the world’s first clinical summer camp program for teens and adolescents suffering from unhealthy screen time and social-media overuse habits and gaming addiction, Reset Summer Camp for Digital Detox & Life Skills. The program is planning an international expansion in the summer of 2022.

LINKS

Free Guide to Recognizing the Signs of Technology Addiction

Digital Detox Parent Course

 

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Screen Addiction Challenges
00:55 Michael Jacobus: From Summer Camp Advocate to Screen Addiction Expert
02:12 The Birth of Reset Summer Camp for Screen-Addicted Kids
03:08 The Ever-Growing Problem of Screen Addiction and Its Impact
05:47 Parental Guidance and Online Course for Combating Screen Addiction
07:40 The Importance of Parental Involvement and Communication
08:23 Identifying and Addressing Screen Addiction in Teens
15:50 The Role of Family Dynamics in Overcoming Screen Addiction
28:43 Practical Steps for Parents: Sleep, Nutrition, and Engagement
31:34 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude