DAVID GILLESPIE

Many parents are feeling deep unease at the amount of time their kids spend on devices. We are hearing of bullying on social media, school absenteeism caused by kids not being able to tear themselves away from games, and rising rates of depression and anxiety. David Gillespie’s new book, Teen Brain (Pan Macmillan), is the first book in the Australian market to pull together all the threads of what David says is a psychological epidemic, sharing the science behind why screens are highly addictive – and what can be done about it.

Can you tell us a bit about your new book, Teen Brain?

Traditional forms of addiction in teens – like sex, drugs, smoking, alcohol and physical danger – have halved since 2007. However, the consequences of addiction, such as anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide, have doubled over the same time. Teen Brain takes a look at the science behind addiction and the teen brain, the evidence that traditional addiction has been replaced by electronic addiction, and – most importantly – what parents (and teens) can do about it.

What’s one fact you discovered in writing this book that may astound parents of teenagers?

Teen brains actually have a very different structure to adult (and childhood) brains. This difference makes them significantly more likely to become addicted to approval-porn (apps that give instant social feedback) and danger-porn (apps that simulate danger, such as games and gambling).

Has your research changed the way you parent your own kids?

Definitely. I used to be the soft touch – the parent the kids thought would be less worried if they were caught using an iPad when they knew they shouldn’t be. But the science on the harm that flows from addiction has given me a backbone. Now, I won’t negotiate about access to addictive software any more than I would about access to cocaine.