Is My Teen Addicted to Their Screen? How a Digital Detox at the Ranch with Higher Grounds Can Help
- Tynan Mason of Higher Grounds Management
- 21 hours ago
- 7 min read
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Is Your Teen Struggling to Disconnect from Their Devices?
In today's digital world, it's hard to imagine life without a screen. For most teenagers, smartphones, tablets, and computers are essential tools for learning, socializing, and entertainment. However, when screen time starts to dominate their lives, it may be time to step back and evaluate if your teen has become addicted to their devices. Are they spending more time on their screens than engaging in face-to-face interactions? Are their moods and behaviors changing based on their screen use? If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering if a digital detox could help.
The statistics paint a concerning picture. According to a 2023 Gallup survey, American teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media alone, not including time spent on video games, streaming, or educational screen use. Research published in JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescents who spend more than three hours daily on social media have double the risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms compared to those with limited use.
At Higher Grounds Management, we specialize in helping families navigate these challenging moments. Our digital detox program, offered at our peaceful ranch location, is designed to help teens disconnect from their screens and reconnect with themselves and the world around them. We focus on offering a safe, supportive environment where your child can take a break from digital distractions, learn healthy coping strategies, and engage in meaningful activities that promote mental and emotional well-being.
What Are the Signs That My Teen May Be Addicted to Their Screen?
As parents, you're the first to notice when something feels off with your teen. Screen addiction can show up in various ways, and it's important to be aware of these signs before they become bigger issues. After working with hundreds of families across the South Bay and nationwide, our team at Higher Grounds has identified the most common warning signs:
1. Constantly Preoccupied with Screens: If your teen seems unable to put their phone or tablet down, even during meals or family time, it could indicate an unhealthy attachment to their device. Research from Common Sense Media shows that 50% of teens feel addicted to their phones, and 72% feel the need to respond immediately to notifications.
2. Mood Swings or Irritability: Teens may become easily frustrated, anxious, or even angry when they're unable to access their devices, leading to noticeable mood swings or irritability. This withdrawal response mirrors patterns seen in other behavioral addictions.
3. Declining Academic Performance: Excessive screen time, particularly on social media or gaming apps, can negatively impact focus and time management. A Stanford University study found that heavy media multitaskers performed significantly worse on cognitive control tasks. You may notice a drop in grades or missed school assignments as a result.
4. Social Withdrawal: If your teen is isolating themselves more and retreating from family interactions or group activities, it could be a sign that they are spending too much time online rather than fostering real-world relationships. Paradoxically, increased social media use often correlates with increased feelings of loneliness.
5. Physical Complaints: Issues like headaches, eye strain, poor posture, and disrupted sleep often arise when teens spend long hours in front of a screen. The blue light emitted by devices suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality.
6. Neglecting Responsibilities: When screen time takes priority over homework, chores, personal hygiene, or commitments to family and friends, it signals that the device has become more important than real-world obligations.
If any of these signs resonate with your situation, a digital detox at Higher Grounds Ranch might be just what your teen needs to reset and regain balance.
What Is a Digital Detox, and How Can It Help My Teen?
A digital detox is not about rejecting technology or pretending the modern world doesn’t exist. It’s about creating enough distance from constant stimulation for a young person to hear themselves think again. At Higher Grounds Management, we approach digital detox as a deliberate reset…one that restores structure, responsibility, and connection to the world in front of them, opposed to just removing screens.
Our detox retreats place teens back into environments that demand presence! Involved in nature, routine, physical movement, and real human interaction. Away from the noise of social media and nonsensical comparison, they are given space to regulate their nervous systems, confront boredom productively, and rediscover competence through action.
The Ranch, a genuinely therapeutic support and an individualized counseling that is woven into daily life, not isolated as “treatment,” but integrated into how the day is lived. The goal is balance, not restriction. Technology is a tool, not a master. When teens learn self-discipline, emotional regulation, and purpose away from screens, they return better equipped to use technology responsibly; without being consumed by it. What we offer is not an escape from reality, but a way back into it, stronger and more grounded than before.
How Does the Digital Detox Program Work at Higher Grounds Ranch?
At Higher Grounds, we offer a compassionate, structured environment designed to give your teen the space they need to unplug and heal. Our ranch offers a peaceful, secluded setting where your child will be surrounded by nature and supported by our experienced team. Here's what you can expect during their stay:
1. Personalized Treatment Plans: Every teen is unique, which is why we create customized treatment plans tailored to your child's needs. Whether it's managing anxiety, improving social skills, or gaining confidence, we focus on the areas that matter most to your teen. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts conduct thorough assessments to ensure interventions target the specific patterns driving your teen's screen dependence.
2. One-on-One Counseling: We offer private, professional therapy sessions to help your teen address any emotional or behavioral issues they may be experiencing. This counseling supports their personal growth and helps them build resilience in the face of future challenges. Many teens use screens to escape uncomfortable emotions; we help them develop healthier coping mechanisms.
3. Engaging Outdoor Activities: From hiking and camping to team-building exercises, we provide a variety of outdoor activities that encourage physical activity, problem-solving, and communication skills. Research shows that time in nature reduces cortisol levels, improves mood, and enhances cognitive function. These experiences are designed to help your teen reconnect with the world around them in a meaningful way.
4. Group Support Sessions: Your teen will also benefit from group therapy, where they can share their experiences with peers in a safe, supportive environment. This encourages socialization and helps them build healthy relationships without the distractions of digital devices. Many teens are surprised to discover how much easier conversation feels without a phone in their hand.
5. Mindfulness and Stress Management Training: We teach practical techniques for managing stress and anxiety without reaching for a screen. These skills, including breathing exercises, meditation, and journaling, give teens tools they can use for the rest of their lives.
6. Family Involvement: We understand that the healing process doesn't stop when your teen leaves the ranch. That's why we work closely with families, offering ongoing support to ensure that the lessons learned during the detox program are carried forward into everyday life. Parent coaching helps you maintain healthy boundaries around technology once your teen returns home.
If you think a digital detox could benefit your teen, don't hesitate to reach out. Contact us today to learn more about how our program can help your family.
What Results Can Families Expect from a Digital Detox Program?
Families often discover that the most meaningful changes emerge quietly, once the constant digital noise is removed. Without late-night stimulation and endless comparison, teens begin to sleep more deeply, and that rest alone restores emotional stability, focus, and patience in ways parents may not have seen in years. Conversation returns not because it is demanded, but because there is nowhere to hide… no screen to retreat into when discomfort or boredom appears, being with themselves and those around them.
As anxiety eases, which it will, many teens rediscover interests that feel grounded and real rather than performative, and their mood stabilizes as the nervous system finally has room to regulate itself. What often surprises families most is the growth in self-awareness. Teens begin to recognize how much their attention, emotions, and sense of self had been shaped by constant digital input. That realization is transformative. It creates responsibility rather than rebellion, discipline rather than restriction. The goal is not to reject technology, but to place it back into its proper role; as a tool to be used deliberately, not a force that quietly governs behavior, identity, and family connection.
Is a Digital Detox the Right Choice for My Family?
Deciding whether or not a digital detox is the right choice for your family can be a tough decision. But the truth is, the earlier you intervene, the better the long-term outcomes for your teen. Screen addiction can lead to a range of negative consequences, including mental health issues like anxiety and depression, difficulty focusing, and even strained family relationships. By giving your teen the opportunity to disconnect and reset, you're providing them with the tools they need to regain control of their life and health.
Consider a digital detox if your teen shows multiple warning signs of screen addiction, if previous attempts to limit screen time at home have failed, if your teen's mental health, academics, or relationships are suffering due to device use, or if you feel like you've lost your teen to their screen and want to reconnect as a family.
At Higher Grounds Management, we're here to help you make the best decision for your family. Our compassionate team is ready to support both you and your teen on this journey. Whether you're looking for short-term relief or long-term solutions, we have the experience and resources to guide you through the process.
What Should I Do Next to Help My Teen with Screen Addiction?
If you're ready to take action and help your teen develop a healthier relationship with technology, the first step is reaching out for a confidential consultation. Our team will listen to your concerns, assess your situation, and help you determine whether a digital detox program or another intervention approach is the best fit for your family.
If you're in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Rolling Hills, Rancho Palos Verdes, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar or anywhere in Orange County, Higher Grounds Management is here to help. We also offer virtual support and therapy to families nationwide.
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