Amy McInnes

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive and potentially disturbing topics related to children, online safety, and exposure to pornography. We will be exploring the risks, preventative measures, and the challenging realities parents and caregivers face in the digital age. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you are a parent or caregiver, please consider listening when children are not present.

This is Part 2 of our deep dive into keeping our kids safe online, especially when you feel like you don't know what to do as a parent. Last week, I shared my personal struggles with navigating the digital world and the complexities of online privacy and protection. Today, we're going even deeper, talking about the science behind it all: the dopamine reward system. I’ll explain how phone use and explicit content can hijack our brains, leading to tolerance, compulsion, and even impacting our relationships and long-term goals. The good news? You can reset your dopamine system, and I’ll share the three steps involved in that process, including what to expect during withdrawal and how to retrain your brain for natural rewards. This is heavy stuff, but so important for understanding how to protect our kids and build their resilience in this increasingly online world. Please remember, this is my personal experience, not professional advice. If you're feeling overwhelmed, please seek professional support in your community.

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In this episode:

• 00:00:46 My feelings of ineptitude and the challenges of online safety.

• 00:02:05 Challenges of privacy in a busy home.

• 00:06:11 Explaining the dopamine circuit: VTA, rewards, pleasure.

• 00:07:09 Compulsion and habit formation: Anticipation, checking phones..

• 00:08:38 Dopamine tolerance and its link to addiction.

• 00:10:25 Comparing dopamine spike, frequency, and effort.

• 00:11:57 Outcomes: Connection vs. Isolation.

• 00:12:33 Impact on brain function

• 00:13:32 Dopamine overload, desensitization, low motivation, and addiction.

• 00:14:32 Consequences for kids' brain development and delayed gratification.

• 00:16:13 Heartbreaking impact on relationships

• 00:17:48 Unrealistic online images shaping perceptions of reality and relationships.

• 00:21:16 Good news: The dopamine system can be fixed!

• 00:21:50 Three steps for dopamine reset and neuroplasticity recovery.

• 00:25:40 Relapse risk and the "highway" analogy for brain pathways.

• 00:27:40 Signs of rewiring

Relevant Resources:

• "Beyond Business: The Real Lives of Women Entrepreneurs" Season One: Available to watch on The Art of Plenty YouTube Channel. 

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