Dr. Justin Romano

In this episode of Psychiatry Boot Camp, host Dr. Mark Mullen is joined by Dr. Justin Romano, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and host of the Millennial Mental Health Channel.

Dr. Romano explores the burgeoning crisis of screen dependence and technology addiction, drawing parallels between cell phone use and traditional substance use disorders. The discussion highlights how addictive design, powered by algorithms and AI, hijacks the dopamine reward pathways in children’s plastic, developing brains. Dr. Romano provides a sobering look at societal consequences, from the rise of "technology a-motivation syndrome" and extreme emotional dysregulation in schools to the isolation of the "loneliest generation".

Moving beyond diagnosis, the episode offers concrete family strategies, such as the "DJ Khaled approach", and a call for robust public health policies to hold tech companies accountable for the digital wellbeing of the next generation.