03/24/2026
For years, willpower was seen as the key to success. But newer research suggests that people do better when they reduce temptation in the first place, rather than constantly trying to resist it. For parents, that means shaping the environment around screens and snacks may work better than expecting kids to rely on self-control alone.
For decades, parents were told to help children build willpower like a muscle, to resist things like junk food and too much time on their screens. But new research suggests a better strategy.
