Dr. Mari Swingle

"So my message to parents and professionals alike is clear: by all means, play games and enjoy screens, have fun! — but not too much, nor too early (e.g., before age six). Ensure that gaming, and screen time in general, is one of many activities children partake in and does not override or otherwise forsake previous interests or face-to-face interpersonal relationships. Keep a sharp eye out for associations with excessive applications and emotional/ behavioural or scholastic deficits. Should these become evident, a child’s relationship with technology, and parenting thereof, will need to drastically change." –Dr. Mari Swingle

More to the story

A recognized expert in the intersection of technology, societal shifts, and mental health, Dr. Mari is the author of i-Minds: How Cell Phones, Computers, Gaming, and Social Media Are Changing Our Brains, Our Behavior, and the Evolution of Our Species, along with its expanded second edition, i-Minds 2.0: How and Why Constant Connectivity Is Rewiring Our Brains and What to Do About It (April 2019). She is a sought-after speaker on these topics, sharing insights drawn from over two decades of research and clinical practice.

Dr. Mari brings a unique blend of expertise from both education and clinical psychology.

Before co-founding the Swingle Clinic in 1997, she worked extensively in curriculum development, language acquisition, and learning modalities, specializing in both accelerated and remedial learning. In the early 2000s, she transitioned fully to clinical work, focusing on neurophysiology’s role in learning, mental health, and overall well-being. Her practice covers a broad spectrum of neurophysiological conditions, with specializations in anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorders, addiction, and peak performance. She is also widely known for her work with children and families dealing with behavioral and learning challenges, including ADHD, dyslexia, processing disorders, and conduct disorders.

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Beyond individual treatment, Dr. Mari also addresses the broader family dynamics that arise when a child experiences learning or behavioral challenges. She provides family counseling and couples therapy, helping parents navigate fatigue, anxiety, depression, and relationship strains that often accompany these challenges.

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Around the turn of the millennium, Dr. Mari observed an emerging phenomenon she now calls i-interference—a pattern in which excessive screen use began impacting cognitive performance, behavior, and mental health. Her curiosity led to years of dedicated research, and today, she is recognized as a leading voice on the neurological and psychological effects of screen-based technology. Often referred to as the "Dear Abby of i-tech" for her practical insights, she has spent over 20 years studying and addressing the impact of digital connectivity on individuals and society.

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Her groundbreaking work has earned widespread recognition, including the 2015 Federation of Associations in Brain and Behavioral Sciences (FABBS) Early Career Impact Award. This award honors scientists who have made significant contributions to the fields of mind, brain, and behavior within a decade of completing their PhD, while also raising public awareness of their research through media and outreach.