How to Get Your Teen Off Their Phone (Without Taking It Away)

About this episode

Ty Allan Jackson discusses strategies for parents to engage teens and reduce screen time by fostering curiosity and strong relationships.

Struggling to compete with your teen’s screen time? You’re not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, award-winning children’s book author and youth motivational speaker Ty Allan Jackson reveals how to spark curiosity, rebuild connection, and help teens discover life beyond screens—without demonizing technology. The core insight: phones aren’t the enemy; they’re a mirror of our culture. Rather than pitting screens against books, relationships, and real-world experiences, successful parents use an ”and” strategy, not an ”or” approach. Jackson emphasizes that the real competition isn’t against devices—it’s about building strong relationships that make teens want to engage with their parents and the world around them.

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Cam

Guest: Ty Allan Jackson

Topics covered

• screen time
• teen engagement
• parenting strategies
• curiosity
• technology
• relationships

Keywords

• teens
• screen time
• curiosity
• parenting
• technology
• relationships
• youth motivation

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