The reason your children get so angry when you take away their screens, according to Álvaro Bilbao, a child psychologist.

The use and abuse of screens, their often inappropriate content, and the blue light they emit are risk factors in themselves that could lead to numerous diseases. Add to this a sedentary lifestyle, a major problem in Spain, and a lack of nighttime rest, and it becomes a ticking time bomb for both the physical and mental health of children and adolescents.

Every parent tries to control the amount of time their children spend in front of these devices, but it's not always successful. Among other reasons, children tend to get very angry and have major arguments when it's time to unplug. Child psychologist Álvaro Bilbao explains on social media why these adverse reactions occur.

The context of electronic device use, a challenge for parents and educators

The use of screens (tablets, mobile phones, video game consoles, computers) during childhood and adolescence involves many challenges, such as the risk of abuse and addiction , exposure to cyberbullying, sexting or grooming, or access to inappropriate content , among other dangers.

According to the National Statistics Institute , more than 96 percent of young people own a mobile phone, which represents a practically complete integration of this technology into their daily lives. Data from the National Observatory of Technology and Society reveals that 94.9 percent of Spanish teenagers have used the internet in recent months. Mobile phone usage among teenagers has experienced exponential growth, reaching a total of seven hours per day.

In this context, various studies have linked excessive social media use to the development of various problems such as anxiety, depression, and poor academic performance. Furthermore, excessive video game use may be associated with mental health problems and social maladjustment. Some scientific research indicates that compulsive and prolonged gaming is linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as a decrease in participation in physical and social activities.

What happens when we take screens away from our children?

Having outlined the general picture of the situation, child psychologist Álvaro Bilbao emphasizes why our children don't accept that digital consumption through electronic screens should be limited in time.

The expert believes that "when children and adolescents are watching television or playing games, their reward system increases dopamine levels (which regulates the brain's reward system), which results in increased arousal and, at the same time, decreased self-control."

But what's more, " serotonin levels (the happiness hormone) drop proportionally when they know screen time is over. The consequence is that children feel disconnected, emotionally fragile, and more irritable . When you tell them 'it's over,' they explode, because they are extraordinarily activated, and disconnected from you at the same time."

What can parents do to help their children manage their anger?

Setting limits on the amount of time children and adolescents spend using any type of connected electronic device is essential for achieving mental order and organization in their lives. However, parents see these limits crossed every day, and it's difficult for their children to respond consistently.

That's why the expert shares two key points on his social media to ensure that children don't get angry when we ask them to disconnect their devices, whatever they may be: " Schedules are indeed important , but they won't be of much use if you don't teach your children two things: on the one hand, to be able to maintain an emotional connection with you at all times, so that they don't completely disconnect. The second is to help them develop the ability to manage frustration ," for which a professional will be necessary in many cases.

The way children and teens will be able to self-regulate their electronic device use is by mastering these two key tips: "These are the two tools that will allow them to turn off the TV or tablet without any problems, as well as reduce the time they spend in front of harmful screens ," she concludes.