In this insightful and timely episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with physician assistant and children’s mental health expert Haley Herndon to talk about digital detox, and why it matters now more than ever. With screens dominating so much of our daily lives, especially for kids and teens, Haley unpacks what constant digital engagement is doing to our brains, emotions, relationships, and ability to be present.
Haley shares practical guidance for setting boundaries around devices, understanding the neuroscience behind screen addiction, and why empathy and emotional regulation are harder to develop when we’re overstimulated by nonstop content. Whether you're a parent, educator, or just feeling the impact of your own screen time, this conversation offers clarity, tools, and perspective for a healthier relationship with technology.
Together, Shelly and Haley explore how to raise self-aware, emotionally resilient kids in a tech-driven world, and how to model better habits ourselves, one intentional choice at a time.
Key Takeaways:
Dopamine and devices: Haley explains how fast-paced screen content triggers dopamine surges that can make it harder to cope when the device is taken away.
Behavioral red flags: Increased irritability, sleep problems, and difficulty focusing may be tied to screen overuse, not just behavioral or developmental concerns.
Real-life connection matters: Face-to-face interaction builds empathy, regulation, and emotional skills that screens simply can’t replicate.
Create screen-free zones: From “no phones at dinner” to “no screens behind closed doors,” Haley shares boundary ideas to keep families engaged and safe.
Delay when you can: Why waiting until middle school (or later) for personal devices and social media access can be protective and powerful.
Start with yourself: Kids do what they see. Shelly and Haley discuss how adult modeling can set the tone for healthier tech habits in the home.
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Host Shelly O’Neal is a therapist, life coach, substance abuse professional, and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. She is an entrepreneur, owner of two companies, along with being the founder of a non-profit that assists children and families dealing with issues such as abuse, addiction, trauma, and suicide.
Shelly is the founder and CEO of a healthcare company with several locations in Kentucky. Her company provides both mental health and psychiatric medical services to children, teens, and adults in Kentucky.
SO Wellness, is located in Nashville, Tennessee and focuses on helping both individuals and companies develop wellness programs to improve employee mental health and corporate wellness.
Shelly addresses the needs of C-Suite individuals and high-profile clients. She has been featured on various media outlets including ABC’s WKM, NBC’s WSMV-4, MorningLine and Yahoo! Finance along with publications such as Authority Magazine, Medium Magazine, and Bellevue City Lifestyle
Learn more about Shelly and SO Wellness on her website: shellyonealwellness.com
Connect with her online:
https://www.instagram.com/shellyonealwellness/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-o%E2%80%99neal-39a310aa/
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Haley Herndon is a board-certified physician assistant and the Director of Children’s Medical Services at Emerald Therapy Center (https://emeraldtherapycenter.com). A passionate advocate for pediatric mental health, she works closely with families to address behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, and the impacts of screen time. As a mom of two young kids, Haley brings both professional insight and real-life experience to her work, encouraging families to lead with empathy, intentionality, and connection
