Tipperary event guides parents on raising teens addicted to screens

Tipperary County Council Library Service was delighted to welcome renowned family therapist Dr Richard Hogan to The Source Library last Tuesday evening on 3 March for his highly anticipated talk, "Parenting the Screenager."

The event, which is part of the national Healthy Ireland at Your Library initiative, saw a large turnout of parents and guardians eager to learn about navigating the complexities of modern adolescence.

Drawing on his clinical experience, Dr Hogan explored the neuroscience of stress, anxiety, and depression, providing practical mechanisms for families to regain a sense of control.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Tipperary drivers warned of icy patch on local road

A central theme of the evening was the power of boundaries. Dr Hogan emphasized that "good boundaries make for good teenagers," urging parents to implement structures early.

He also tackled the impact of social media and technology on sleep and human connection, noting that while teens may seem glued to screens, they fundamentally crave authentic connection to build self-esteem.

Attendees were encouraged to view themselves as "observers" of their thoughts to avoid emotional reactivity and were given tools to model resilience by reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth.

READ NEXT: Tipperary Age Friendly ambassador promotes the power of age diversity in the workplace

The evening concluded with an engaging Q&A session where Dr Hogan addressed specific concerns from the community. The lessons shared offer a roadmap for promoting healthy habits and lasting mental well-being for the county’s youth.

Tipperary County Council Library Service wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Dr Hogan and all who supported the event.