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Boca Raton Center for Child & Family We want to be your trusted partners in behavioral health.

10/21/2026

Three things I would never do as a child psychologist and a dad:

1. Unlimited YouTube access
Children do better with structure and clear limits than with endless access.
2. Let a tablet sleep in the bedroom
Screens at night make boundaries much harder to maintain.
3. Make huge punishments I know I won’t enforce

Threatening “no screens for six months” may sound strong in the moment, but consistency matters more than intensity.

Good boundaries aren’t dramatic. They’re predictable.

10/19/2026

YouTube Kids is not a babysitter.

A child can start with something completely appropriate, then move from recommendation to recommendation without a parent choosing each next video.
That’s the part I want parents thinking about.
You’re not selecting every next piece of content.
The algorithm is.

This isn’t about panicking over YouTube or banning every video.
It’s about remembering that “kid-friendly” does not mean you can completely check out.
Algorithms don’t parent. You do.

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10/18/2026

“I just don’t want my child to be left out.”
That fear is very real for parents.
Nobody wants their child sitting there while everyone else talks about a group chat, game, phone, or platform they are not part of.
But belonging does not require participating in every digital experience their peers have.
The question should not simply be:
“Does everyone else have it?”
The better questions are:
Is my child ready for it?
Can they handle the responsibility?
Does it fit our family’s values and boundaries?
Because if your rule becomes:
“Everyone else has it, so you can have it too...”
then somebody else is starting to set your parenting boundaries.
Your child’s classmates should not determine what technology enters your home.

10/16/2026

Yes. I absolutely judge this. 😂
Your child says, “I’m bored,” and suddenly the iPad appears.
Boredom is uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean it needs to be fixed immediately.
Children also need opportunities to:
imagine
create
wander
problem solve
initiate their own play
tolerate not being instantly entertained
This isn’t about banning screens.
It’s about not treating boredom like an emergency.
Sometimes the response can simply be:
“Good. Figure something out.”

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10/16/2026

This is going to make some parents mad.

Your child does not need an iPad every time you go to a restaurant.
I understand why it happens.
The child is quiet.
You get to eat.
You may even get to finish a conversation.
I have kids too. I get it.

But waiting, talking, coloring, observing, and even being bored for a little while are also important parts of childhood.
This is not about banning screens.
It is about making sure screens do not become the only way a child can tolerate ordinary moments.

Convenience is great. Real life still needs practice.

Dr. Edan M. Alcalay, Psy.D.
Child Psychologist
BocaRatonChild.com

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10/14/2026

GREEN. YELLOW. RED. 🚦
Three popular children’s shows. Three very different Screen Check ratings.
🟢 Numberblocks
Educational, playful, and built around early math concepts.
🟡 Spidey and His Amazing Friends
Strong teamwork and problem solving, but more superhero action, conflict, and stimulation.
🔴 Masha and the Bear
Entertaining, but younger children may imitate Masha’s impulsive and disruptive behavior without understanding the humor or context.
The question shouldn’t only be:
“How much screen time?”
Also ask:
“What are they actually watching?”

10/12/2026

Stop rescuing your child from boredom.

Boredom is uncomfortable, but that discomfort can be useful.
When every empty moment is immediately filled with a screen, children may get fewer opportunities to practice:
independent play
creativity
problem solving
movement
exploration
frustration tolerance

This is not about eliminating screens.
It is about making sure children still know how to function when nothing is instantly entertaining them.
“I’m bored.”

Sometimes the response can simply be:
“Good. Figure something out.”

How do you know a preschool show is actually educational? Look for clear learning goals, a calm pace, positive social mo...
10/11/2026

How do you know a preschool show is actually educational? Look for clear learning goals, a calm pace, positive social modeling, and moments that invite participation. We recommend watching one episode with your child and then doing a short activity or question to extend the lesson. Read our full guide to choosing shows and practical follow-up ideas: https://wix.to/IR68LSD

Which show has sparked the best conversation with your child? Share below - your tip could help another family.

📚👪✨

10/08/2026

This is how video game addiction can begin.

A child plays.
They receive a reward.
Then the game gives them another reason to return.
Games like Blox Fruits on Roblox use rarity, progression, timed opportunities, and repeated rewards that can keep players anticipating what might happen next.
That anticipation can become powerful.
The child may begin thinking about:
the next rare item
the next level
the next opportunity
the next reward
The concern is not that every child who enjoys video games is addicted.
The concern is when gaming starts taking priority over other areas of life.

Warning signs can include:
• constantly checking the game
• becoming highly irritable when unable to play
• thinking about gaming while offline
• losing interest in other activities
• organizing the day around gaming
When play starts controlling the day, pay attention.

Dr. Edan M. Alcalay, Psy.D.
Child Psychologist
BocaRatonChild.com

10/07/2026

Not all screen time is the same.

Video chatting with family, creating art, doing homework, gaming, and endless scrolling are very different experiences.

So instead of only asking:
“How much screen time?”

Ask:
What are they doing?
Why are they doing it?
What is the screen replacing?
Minutes matter, but they are only part of the picture.
Quality and context matter too.

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