Media addiction expert reveals: How parents can help children cope with emotional overload caused by media consumption

Many parents are familiar with this phenomenon: Their child can't calm down after playing or watching a video. They suddenly become irritable, scream, argue, or completely withdraw. This behavior isn't misbehavior, but often a sign of emotional overload .

Children experience a veritable flood of stimuli when consuming media : rapid image changes, bright colors, loud music, sudden action. Whether on YouTube, Minecraft, or Fortnite – something is constantly happening. Their brains remain on high alert.

What many parents don't realize is that these constant stimuli put the child's nervous system into a kind of state of alarm. The brain is then like an engine that's overheated – and can't simply be turned off. As soon as the screen is off, the next stimulus is missing – and the nervous system goes berserk . For many children, this feels like emotional withdrawal.

Florian Buschmann, founder of "Offline Heroes," is committed to preventing media addiction. Having once been affected himself, he knows the dangers. He and his team conduct over 300 events annually in schools with more than 10,000 participants. "Offline Heroes" are committed to media literacy, media addiction prevention, and the proper use of AI. They know: The future begins with our children.

Anger at this moment isn't simply "bad behavior," but an outlet . The children don't know what to do with themselves—so it bursts out.

What children themselves say

In our school events on preventing media addiction , children repeatedly openly talk about how they get completely freaked out when gaming . One boy told us, "When I lose, I completely lose it—I've already thrown the controller against the wall twice." Another child said, "I get really angry and yell at my mom, even though she hasn't done anything."

These statements show that the children don't want this at all. They feel powerless over their own anger – and are often ashamed of it afterward. What's missing is someone to guide them on how to deal with these feelings. And this is exactly where you, as a parent, come in.

Create transitions instead of abrupt breaks

Before media time begins, plan with your child what will happen next. This could be something together—such as cooking, painting, or playing—or something quiet like listening to a radio play, cuddling, or going for a walk. This way, you can avoid a sudden interruption of stimuli that can be emotionally overwhelming for your child.

Fixed rituals as anchors of calm

Introduce small transition rituals that always follow the same pattern. For example: "When the timer goes off, we'll have ten minutes of cuddle time." This way, your child will internalize: Media time is limited—but afterward, something reliable and enjoyable follows.

Talk about anger – before it explodes

For example, ask your child, "How do you feel when you stop playing?" or say, "I see you're very angry right now. That's okay—we'll work together to figure out what you need." Children learn to deal with their feelings not through punishment, but through understanding support.

Avoid blame

Anger isn't malicious. It's an expression of inner stress. In such moments, your child doesn't need judgment, but someone who is present—calm, loving, and clear.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.