Procrastination involves delaying less pleasant tasks to a later time, aware of the negative consequences, while dedicating that time to more enjoyable activities. Very often, teenagers postpone less enjoyable learning for later and prefer engaging in more pleasant activities such as using phones and other screens for playing video games, browsing social networks, watching videos, or series. The phenomenon of procrastination does not necessarily mean a teenager's screen addiction, as adults also experience it.

But why is it more challenging for teenagers to overcome procrastination? On one hand, their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for self-control, planning, organization, task execution, and goal maintenance, is not fully developed. On the other hand, they already have a well-developed limbic system (amygdala and hypothalamus), responsible for processing emotions and motivation. The limbic system can trigger unpleasant emotions such as fears, doubts, or anxiety, affecting the motivation to start learning and simultaneously encouraging them to dismiss these negative emotions by engaging in more enjoyable tasks. When they use screens to push away unpleasant emotions related to less pleasant tasks, they must realize that those tasks will still be waiting for them. The more they postpone, the more tasks pile up, and when they try to address the consequences of procrastination, they may find that they have too little time. This triggers additional stress and less pleasant emotions, prompting the limbic system to once again eliminate them by withdrawing into more enjoyable tasks, creating a vicious cycle.

How can parents contribute to managing and overcoming procrastination in their teenagers: Establish realistic expectations:
    • Encourage teenagers to set achievable goals.
    • Help them understand that perfection is not always possible, but it is important to complete tasks.

Teach them organizational skills:
    • Assist teenagers in developing planning and organizational skills.
    • Teach them how to create a schedule or task list to keep track of assignments.

Help set concrete goals:
    • Encourage the setting of clear and achievable goals.
    • Break down larger tasks into smaller steps to make them more manageable.

Assist in developing good study habits:
    • Encourage regular work and study.
    • Help them find the optimal time for task completion.

Provide help with study organization:
    • Teach them study techniques such as summarizing, color-coding, and mind mapping.
    • Discuss different learning techniques and encourage them to find the one that suits them best.

Set limits on technology use:
    • Set limits on the time spent on screens.
    • In the learning environment, keep phones and other screens, as well as other distractions, away.
    • Encourage turning off notifications during study time.
    • Promote the use of app limiters for more productive time management.
    • Encourage the use of technology for learning and research, not for procrastination.

Motivate:
    • Encourage teenagers with positive statements and praise.
    • Discuss long-term goals and how to achieve them through hard work.
    • Reward successfully completed tasks.

Help cope with the fear of failure:
    • Talk about the fear of failure and encourage a positive attitude toward mistakes as opportunities for learning.

Highlight the importance of breaks:
    • Teach them that breaks are essential for maintaining productivity.
    • Encourage short breaks during extended study sessions.
    • During short breaks, advise against using phones and other screens, as it is harder to refocus on studying after their use.

Involve them in planning:
    • Involve teenagers in decision-making about their learning process.
    • Let them participate in goal setting and choosing learning methods.

Be a role model:
    • Be a role model with your own behavior.
    • Share your experiences of overcoming procrastination.

And a little joke for the end: "Procrastinators, unite! ... tomorrow" :D"