098 - Digital Dementia: Can Excessive Screen Time Affect Memory, Focus, and Brain Health? with Dr. Paul Filomeno
02/25/25 • 12 min
Is too much screen time affecting our brains? In this episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Paul Filomeno, an addiction and recovery medicine specialist, pediatrician, and founder of Healthy Screens PH, to discuss the concept of digital dementia.
While not a formal medical diagnosis, digital dementia describes the cognitive effects of excessive screen use—such as poor memory, shorter attention spans, and difficulty with problem-solving.
Dr. Paul shares his expertise on how screen time impacts brain development in children, including executive function, impulse control, and empathy. We also explore problematic internet use, digital distraction, and parental technoference—and most importantly, what we can do as parents to protect ourselves and our kids.
In this episode, you'll discover...
✅ What digital dementia is and how it affects memory and attention span
✅ How excessive screen time impacts children's brain development
✅ How to set digital boundaries for a healthier family life
Resources & Links Mentioned:
📌 Previous Episodes with Dr. Paul:
📌 More Resources on Digital Parenting:
- Visit DiscerningParenting.com/digitalparenting and let us know you're interested in this!
- Learn more about Healthy Screens PH and Dr. Paul’s advocacy.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help more parents discover this important conversation!
⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.
⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.
⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.
🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!
The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.
Is too much screen time affecting our brains? In this episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Paul Filomeno, an addiction and recovery medicine specialist, pediatrician, and founder of Healthy Screens PH, to discuss the concept of digital dementia.
While not a formal medical diagnosis, digital dementia describes the cognitive effects of excessive screen use—such as poor memory, shorter attention spans, and difficulty with problem-solving.
Dr. Paul shares his expertise on how screen time impacts brain development in children, including executive function, impulse control, and empathy. We also explore problematic internet use, digital distraction, and parental technoference—and most importantly, what we can do as parents to protect ourselves and our kids.
In this episode, you'll discover...
✅ What digital dementia is and how it affects memory and attention span
✅ How excessive screen time impacts children's brain development
✅ How to set digital boundaries for a healthier family life
Resources & Links Mentioned:
📌 Previous Episodes with Dr. Paul:
📌 More Resources on Digital Parenting:
- Visit DiscerningParenting.com/digitalparenting and let us know you're interested in this!
- Learn more about Healthy Screens PH and Dr. Paul’s advocacy.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help more parents discover this important conversation!
⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.
⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.
⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.
🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!
The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.
Previous Episode
097 - Is it Social Media Addiction? with Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Paul Filomeno
Are you worried that your child may be addicted to social media? You’re not alone! Social media is designed to keep users hooked, and kids are especially vulnerable.
In this episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Paul Filomeno, an addiction medicine specialist, pediatrician, and dad. He shares research-backed insights on social media addiction in kids, red flags to watch for, and practical strategies to help children develop healthier online habits.
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is NOT meant to replace medical advice. When in doubt, consult a licensed practitioner.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Is social media really addictive? Understanding how platforms manipulate dopamine and attention.
✅ Red flags of social media addiction: Signs that go beyond just spending too much time online.
✅ How social media affects kids' mental health: The link between early exposure, anxiety, and depression.
✅ Setting healthy boundaries: Why restriction isn’t the answer, but regulation and co-journeying are.
✅ Modeling healthy habits as a parent: How your own screen time impacts your child.
✅ When to seek professional help: Understanding when social media use becomes a deeper issue.
Resources & Links:
📌 Learn more about Dr. Paul Filomino’s work at Healthy Screens PH
Follow Healthy Screens PH here:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/healthyscreensPH
IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthyscreens.ph
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthy-screens-ph
📌 Get practical and curated parenting resources at DiscerningParenting.com
📌 Need help with digital parenting? Let us know! Visit: discerningparenting.com/digitalparenting
Don’t Miss Our Next Episode!
We’ll be diving into new expert insights about screen time and its impact on both kids and parents. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!
💬 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend and leave us a review!
⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.
⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.
⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.
🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!
The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.
Next Episode
099 - Sibling Conflicts: Step In, or Let Them Work It Out? - with Dr. Pauline Camposano-Marquez
Many parents feel like they’re constantly playing referee between their kids. Sibling squabbles can be exhausting, and the guilt of not knowing whether to step in or let them work it out can be overwhelming.
In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of sibling rivalry—why it happens, when to intervene, and how to foster a healthy sibling relationship.
We’re joined by Dr. Pauline Camposano-Marquez, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician and a mom of three, who shares both professional insights and real-life experiences raising young children close in age. She discusses:
✔️ Reasons behind sibling rivalry we may not realize
✔️ The trap of always making the older child "give in"
✔️ The importance of modeling conflict resolution at home
✔️ Practical strategies to reduce rivalry
✔️ The hidden family dynamics that shape sibling relationships
Whether you’re dealing with constant bickering or want to lay the foundation for a strong sibling bond, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and encouraging stories too.
Resources & Links:
💡 Download the Discerning Parenting Toolkit for free: discerningparenting.com/toolkit
📌 Contact Dr. Pauline: [email protected] or 0968-8822252 for scheduling
📌 Need a developmental pediatrician? Head over to the website of the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - https://psdbp.org/find-a-doctor/
If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow parent! 💛
⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.
⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.
⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.
🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!
The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.
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