Articles by Tristan Gorrindo, M.D.
Tristan Gorrindo, M.D. is the director of education for the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in Washington, D.C. He was formerly the managing director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and director of postgraduate medical education for the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy.
5 Ways To Avoid Becoming A Helicopter Parent As You Send Your Child Off To College
February 7, 2020
5 Ways To Avoid Becoming A Helicopter Parent As You Send Your Child Off To College
Emily, a college freshman, strolls from her dorm to her biology class and en route, she calls her mother so that she doesn’t appear aimless and lonely as she passes by her peers. She barely notices that almost all them are also on their cell phones. In class, she takes notes on her iPad, although […]
Do Emoji Help Or Impair Digital Communication?
August 26, 2014
Do Emoji Help Or Impair Digital Communication?
If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, do these little clipart-like images enhance the way we communicate? “Emoji” was pronounced this year’s top-trending word by The Global Language Monitor, and it was also added to the Oxford English Dictionary (ironic, because it’s a word that describes the concept of communicating using small pictures instead […]
Why It’s OK To Be Unplugged At Summer Camp
July 7, 2014
Why It’s OK To Be Unplugged At Summer Camp
Camp provides time to be in nature and to practice living away from family. And, other than time spent asleep, camp is one of the few extended periods of time when kids will be away from their screens and devices. To better understand why it’s hard to unplug for summer camp, we interviewed Michael Thompson, […]
Should the TV Be On Or Off During Times of Breaking News?
March 20, 2014
Should the TV Be On Or Off During Times of Breaking News?
During times of “breaking news,” we are all drawn to our TVs, phones and computers for information. This was especially true throughout the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and lockdown, when we found the drama usually reserved for action-adventure movies playing out in our own neighborhoods. In interviewing several hundred families* about the bombing and subsequent […]
The Holidays: Unplugged
December 18, 2013
The Holidays: Unplugged
We like to play on our computers as much as anyone. But during the holidays, solitary screen time squanders the chance to play with siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins and friends who are also on vacation. Taking a break from work can also mean a chance to recharge without being tethered to our computers. But, many […]
How Schools Respond When a Child Is Being Cyberbullied
December 3, 2013
How Schools Respond When a Child Is Being Cyberbullied
As a child psychiatrist, I often find myself in adversarial negotiations with school districts. I am typically advocating for more intensive services for my patients, while school districts are often determining the best use of limited resources. This issue is rarely more poignant than when it comes to a child being cyberbullied. Recent events in the media have highlighted the […]
Do As I Say, Not As I TXT: Tips for Parents to Manage Technology Use at the Dinner Table
November 26, 2013
Do As I Say, Not As I TXT: Tips for Parents to Manage Technology Use at the Dinner Table
In 21st-century America, where we no longer quilt on the front porch, play musical instruments together, or plant beans side-by-side in the field, dinner is the primary occasion we use to connect with one another. It’s also an important time to tell family stories, teach social skills and model good manners. There is so much […]
Supporting the Healthy Development of Our Gay and Lesbian Youth
October 28, 2013
Supporting the Healthy Development of Our Gay and Lesbian Youth
TV shows such a Glee and Modern Family have brought gay characters and storylines into the homes of millions of Americans. But for any child, the decision to come out of the closet remains one of the hardest things that a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person will do. “Coming out” is the process of revealing […]
3 Things Parents Should Do If a Child Is Being Cyberbullied
3 Things Parents Should Do If a Child Is Being Cyberbullied
In my clinical practice, I’m often asked by the parents of my patients what they should do if they suspect their child is being cyberbullied. It’s a common problem without a clear solution, but there are steps parents and kids can take together to push back on bullies. 1. Cyberbullying Should Not Be Ignored Cyberbullying […]
3 Things Technology Has Taken Away From You
September 18, 2013
3 Things Technology Has Taken Away From You
Since there are only so many hours in the day, we figured that all the hours spent on the Internet must be subtracted from some other activity. Are those eight hours a day of screen time costing us some snooze time? Are we having less sex? We decided to ask a group of over 200 parents the […]
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