Go Beyond the Podcast: A Cyber Safety Expert’s Guide to Ending Screen Time Battles

Too much screen time isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a serious mental health and developmental issue for today’s children and teens. Many parents find themselves locked in daily battles over devices, unsure how to set boundaries without damaging the relationship or starting another shouting match.

In our recent Cyber Safety Cop webinar, Screen Time Standoff: Communication Strategies to Reduce Conflict and Reclaim Balance, we shared actionable tools from our new book Screen Time Standoff, written by Clayton Cranford, a former law enforcement professional, child safety expert, and the founder of Cyber Safety Cop.

Drawing from decades of experience working with families, schools, and children, we introduced a communication framework that helps parents reduce screen-related conflict, restore connection, and promote digital responsibility at home.

If you want a deep dive into this topic, we highly recommend watching the full webinar recording, now available to Premium Members. But in the meantime, here are some helpful highlights from the webinar to get you started:

Why Screen Time Battles Are on the Rise  

Over the past decade, the landscape has changed dramatically. In 2010, fewer than 20% of teens had smartphones. By 2015, over 80% did. Now, we’re witnessing the unintended consequences:

  • Increased anxiety, depression, and device dependency

  • Sleep disruption and falling grades

  • Difficulty coping with emotions

  • Frustration and power struggles at home

As Clayton Cranford often reminds parents:

Register or to view requested content.

cyber safety cop

Table of Contents

About the Author

Picture of Clayton Cranford
Clayton Cranford

Clayton Cranford, the founder of Cyber Safety Cop and Total Safety Solutions LLC, served an impressive 20-year tenure in law enforcement.