Parenting & Video Games

Finding Balance

Over 2.5 billion people play video games. 73% of Americans ages 2 and older play video games. 90% of teens play video games on a computer, game console, or cellphone. Over 92% of teen boys have access to a gaming console and 41% say they spend too much time playing video games. While video games are a common past-time for most teens, many struggle with a healthy balance. Parents struggle with knowing how best to manage their teen's gaming especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. How can parents respond when all their teen wants to do is play video games? How can parents make changes without their teen yelling, cursing, or having a melt-down? Is it possible for teens to balance gaming with the rest of their responsibilities?
Get Started Now
Powered Up Parent

The Powered Up Parent Program Can Help You

Information From Experienced Clinicians Specifically for Parents of Teens and Tweens

  • Better understand your child’s video games

  • Improve your relationship with your gaming teen

  • Learn practical steps to improve your child’s gaming behaviors

  • Help reduce blow-ups around video games

  • Interviews from parents and professionals who are knowledgeable about healthy gaming

  • Gain an understanding on how to balance your teenager’s gaming

  • More than tips and tricks, this course guides parents in ways to improve how they and their teens relate to video games

Start Powered Up Parent Today

Awareness, Knowledge, and Confidence

Get Started Now

What Does Powered Up Parent Cover?

Program Outline

  • 01

    Welcome!

    • Meet Our Powered Up Parent Team Members

    • Table of Contents: Levels and Missions

    • Meet Our Professional Speakers
  • 02

    Level 1

    • Mission 1: Types of Gamers and Video Games

    • Mission 2: Reasons to Play Video Games

    • Mission 3: When Gaming Is and Is Not a Problem

    • Bonus Mission: Interview with Elaine Uskoski

    • Level 1 Conversations with Your Child

    • LEVEL UP!
  • 03

    Level 2

    • Mission 1: Understanding The Benefits of Video Games and Technology

    • Mission 2: Good Conversations

    • Mission 3: Exploring Your Perspective on Video Games and Technology

    • Bonus Mission: Interview with Rob and Emily Bumbaco

    • Bonus Mission: Interview with Kristen Haflett

    • Level 2 Conversations with Your Child

    • LEVEL UP!
  • 04

    Level 3

    • Mission 1: Screen Time Dos and Don'ts

    • Mission 2: Positive and Negative Reinforcement

    • Mission 3: Expectations and Consequences

    • Bonus Mission: Parenting Triangles

    • Bonus Mission: Interview with Dr. Daniel Kaufmann

    • Bonus Mission: Interview with Julie Hynes

    • Level 3 Conversations with Your Child

    • LEVEL UP!
  • 05

    Resources

    • Resources

    • Powered Up Parent Overview Download
  • 06

    Survey

    • Follow-Up Survey
  • 07

    What's Next!

    • What's Next!
  • 08

    Powered Up Player

    • Introducing Our Powered Up Player Course!

Now Available: Power Up the Whole Family

Bundle Our Programs and Save

See What Parents are Saying

Testimonials & Reviews

Joy Yan

5 star rating

“Level 1 definitely caught my attention and made me want to learn more. ”

“Level 1 definitely caught my attention and made me want to learn more. ”

→Read Less

Mark Szkudlarek

5 star rating

“Great overview of today's gaming environment and how it affects our children. This short course prepares you as a parent / caregiver to understand the high level concepts with gaming, the effects it has on our children and what you can do to take...”

→Read More

“Great overview of today's gaming environment and how it affects our children. This short course prepares you as a parent / caregiver to understand the high level concepts with gaming, the effects it has on our children and what you can do to take an active role in ensuring your child is using gaming is a positive way. You don't want to miss this one. ”

→Read Less

Linda Fletcher

5 star rating

“I am raising 2 teenage boys who are both very drawn to the gaming world. Navigating parenting in this arena has been overwhelming at times. This training has helped me understand more about what to do and what not to do in addressing gaming with...”

→Read More

“I am raising 2 teenage boys who are both very drawn to the gaming world. Navigating parenting in this arena has been overwhelming at times. This training has helped me understand more about what to do and what not to do in addressing gaming with my kids. It has opened my eyes to the importance of connecting with my kids regarding their interests in gaming as well as knowing that I am not alone in parenting in the age of screens. I look forward to implementing the tips provided in this series.”

→Read Less

Evan Dean

5 star rating

“I found this course to be highly knowledgeable and actionable right from the start! There are so many helpful pieces to this program. But most of all is the focus on being curious and finding out how the child is using the games/screens to find va...”

→Read More

“I found this course to be highly knowledgeable and actionable right from the start! There are so many helpful pieces to this program. But most of all is the focus on being curious and finding out how the child is using the games/screens to find value and currency in their lives and affirming that. I also really like the encouragement to find positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement as often as possible. Finally, the discussion worksheets are really helpful to lay out all the pieces and formulate a discussion and a parenting plan going forward. This really helped me to think through what I can actually follow through on and what is unrealistic in terms of expectations, rules, and consequences.”

→Read Less

Jill Bode

5 star rating

“Wonderful job. I liked all the different perspectives of people you had involved in this program ”

“Wonderful job. I liked all the different perspectives of people you had involved in this program ”

→Read Less

star rating

“”

“”

→Read Less

Meet the Instructors

Instructor Bio

Jeremy Edge, LPC, IGDC is the owner and founder of the counseling practice, Escapingthe.com, PLLC. Jeremy is an International Gaming Disorder Certified counselor which is the leading certification for working with people with Gaming Disorder. He's also obtained the Digital Wellness Certificate through the Digital Wellness Institute. He provides individual, parenting, and family counseling services for teenagers, young adults, and adults struggling with problematic Internet and screen use. After personally experiencing the negative effects of Gaming Disorder, Jeremy devoted his work to helping those recover from problematic and disordered screen use. In addition to problematic screen use, Jeremy works well with men of all ages. He received his Master’s degree in Community Counseling at UT San Antonio and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UT Tyler.

Jeremy Edge

Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, BACC, IGDC is a highly regarded gambling addiction expert working extensively across the globe with individuals, organizations, and associations. She is the CEO and Co-founder of The Better Institute She is the co-author of Identification, Screening, and Referral for Treatment of Problematic and Disordered Gaming in the Social Work Desk Reference v 4 published in 2021. She serves as the Vice President of the board for the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB). Jody holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work and has certifications as a Board-Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC), Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor Level II (ICGC-II) and holds the first ever International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC).

Jody Bechtold

Rob Bumbaco LCSW, CMC, a licensed clinical social worker and certified mental coach. Rob earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Niagara University. In his career, Rob has worked as both a counselor and supervisor in programs that helped treat individuals who were dealing with addiction related issues and mental illness. Robert specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. In 2018, Rob co-founded The Better Institute to deliver what is missing in today’s counseling and coaching organizations. People just want to Get Better. Whether it is mental health and wellness, addiction and recovery, relationships and partnerships, or thriving at work and life – The Better Institute provides professional expertise, cutting edge innovation, and research informed strategies to help individuals get better. Rob continues to work with adolescents and adults who are dealing with mental health and addiction related issues. Rob is married with three kids, ages 12, 10, and 8. He is constantly being introduced to new games and apps by his kids.

Rob Bumbaco

Matt Missar is a clinician with The Better Institute and a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. Matt holds a Masters of Social Work degree with a focus in Direct Practice and certificate in Mental Health. Matt has also recently obtained his International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC). Matt values working with individuals of all ages and specializes in working with younger individuals regarding stress, anxiety, and problematic gaming. Matt has a unique ability to genuinely engage and connect with each client. Matt brings an extraordinary research background to The Better Institute in which he has conducted in-depth research examining the vulnerability and resilience among children at-risk for maladaptive psychosocial outcomes.

Matt Missar

Start Powered Up Parent Today

Awareness, Knowledge, and Confidence

Get Started Now

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and Policies

  • How do I access the program?

    Immediately after you purchase the PoweredUp Parent program, you will have access and can begin to watch the videos and complete the Levels. Everything is available on-demand for you to complete on your own schedule. You can start, pause, and stop at any time throughout the program.

  • How long do I have access to the PoweredUp Parent program?

    You have 60 days to complete the program from purchase. If you need additional time, please contact us at [email protected].

  • What age group is this program designed for?

    The PoweredUp Parent program is designed for parents with children between the ages of 10-18.

  • What if I’m not satisfied with the PoweredUp Parent program?

    We will give you a 100% refund after you watch the entire program within 7 days of purchase. We simply ask that you give us feedback on what you didn’t like about the program and how we could improve the program.

  • Is there a cancellation policy?

    We do not offer a cancellation policy because this program is available on-demand and you can watch/attend them at your convenience (day or night, home or office or anywhere).

  • What if I am having technical problems with the program?

    We recommend that you watch this program using a desktop/laptop computer and Chrome browser. You can also contact us at [email protected] to see if we can assist you.

  • I want to talk to someone about my specific child/ren - how can I contact the presenters?

    Within the course, there are instructions to contact us. You may also email [email protected] for more information.