New book offers 6 research-based ways to get kids off screens

Mary Catherine Liscinski, a licensed mental health counselor and digital addiction coach in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has released a new book aimed at helping families reduce excessive screen use among children. The 166-page guide links screen overuse to mental, academic and developmental harms and lays out six research-based solutions parents can start using now. Why it matters: - Excessive screen use is tied to mental health, academic, relational and developmental problems in children, according to the book. - The guide is aimed at parents and grandparents trying to help children reduce screen dependence and reconnect with offline life. - The book positions screen reduction as a family health issue, not just a discipline issue. What happened: - Mary Catherine Liscinski, LPC, released A Guide for Getting Your Kids Off Screens: How devices harm brains, bodies, and relationships, and how to help your child on June 13, 2026. - The book was published by LifeWalk Coaching, LLC. - The paperback price is $14.99. - The book is 166 pages long. - The ISBN is 9798995105718. The details: - Part 1 examines the addictive nature of screens and their effects on children. - The book says excessive screen use can stunt relational growth. - The book says screen time can damage mental well-being. - The book links heavy screen use to attention-deficit symptoms that can affect school performance. - The book says excessive exposure can contribute to metabolic syndrome symptoms and other systemic physical issues. - Part 2 lays out six research-based solutions families can begin using immediately. - The solutions are designed to work together as a lifestyle-based roadmap for change. - Liscinski says families need practical ways to help children reconnect with the real world and heal from the effects of excessive screen use. - Dave Elswick, host of The Dave Elswick Radio Show, said Liscinski “puts into everyday language, what people need to hear.” - Doug Gulley, Ph.D., said, “Every parent should read this book.” - Bethany Renner, a mother of four, said, “By far the best book I’ve ever read about screen usage and its effects.” Between the lines: - The release taps into growing concern about youth mental health and the role screens may play in that trend. - Liscinski is trying to move the conversation from warning parents about screens to giving them a step-by-step plan to change daily habits. - The book’s emphasis on research-based solutions suggests a practical, treatment-oriented approach rather than a purely cautionary one. What’s next: - Liscinski is available for interviews on the youth mental health crisis, the effects of screen time on the developing brain, attention-deficit symptoms, family strategies to cut overuse, the six solutions in the book, and current legislation on children, screens, social media and digital addiction. - Liscinski can be reached through LifeWalk Coaching, LLC at +1 501-290-7132. - The book is positioned for families looking for immediate changes to screen habits and digital addiction patterns.