We got our first computer, the Texas Instruments TI994/A, in 1980. I was eight. My dad was worried my siblings and I would become video game addicts so the deal was we could have the game cartridges after we finished our homework and chores AND wrote a program in BASIC. Weekends were more lax, but we often did things as a family on weekends anyway and couldn’t lug it with us.

It worked. All of that early exposure honed my skills — I’m a graphic designer, photographer/photoshopper, IT, marketing, finance, quasi-programming writer. None of us are video game junkies and we all work seamlessly with our devices as tools, not escapes.

Be strict. Reward her with phone time when she earns it. Also, TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS so she doesn’t get the dopamine rush from every ping or like. She’ll look at it less if it doesn’t beckon her.

Good luck, Mom. Your plight is valid.