5 Family-Saving Limits to Set With Screen Time

By Emily Marulaunda and Damon Rennaker

Do you find that your child is spending too much time with screens? Do they throw a tantrum when you try to get your phone back? Do they give you the stink eye when you shut off the TV? Do you wonder if your child is possibly forming an addiction?

Using devices and having screen time has become a norm for children. As with all things, our devices should be used in moderation. And it is vital to for how much time kids use their screens! “According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children aged 8-12 spend an average of 4 1/2 hours a day on screens. Another 2019 report found that teens and young adults spend an average of 7 1/2 hours or more on screens. These numbers exclude the time spent on digital devices related to work and school” (Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, 2022). 

Here Are 5 Ways to help your Family Avoid Excessive Screen Time:

1. Discuss rules/boundaries before implementing them: Collaborate with your children and teenagers to develop a plan that might work for the both of you. Spend time together and have discussions when you are face to face. In this scenario, your children will be more likely to adhere to the boundaries you’re setting if they feel that they have some say in the matter. This method will cultivate a trusting environment between you and your children, where the rules feel less like a punishment and more of a benefit to them. Check out our free lessons and Ebooks, and learn ways to teach your children about media literacy and digital citizenship, two skills when understood and implemented can teach your children to be intelligent and kind with their internet usage.
2. Create screen-free zones: Make sure your children are aware of the designated areas within the home where screens aren’t allowed. For example: at the dinner table or when having a conversation with another person, screens aren’t allowed. “Having multiple places within your home that are strictly no-screen zones is not only beneficial, but it is also crucial for kids to learn how to balance their activities and relationships” (Newton, 2021). Spend time doing activities with another where screens are not involved. For example, you could spend time outdoors going for a hike or going fishing together where the goal is to get away from screens. This will establish that quality family time is a screen-free zone. 
3. Utilize screen time settings: Understand the available parental controls on your devices and utilize their screen time settings. Some devices can be set to automatically turn off after 1 hour of use. Become familiar with how kids might be hiding their browsing history. Make sure to set whatever time boundary works for you, your family, this could mean adjusting the time available to your children depending on their age. Some children might throw a tantrum if they’re kicked off when their time is over, but remember: “It’s important to keep your cool and remain firm. Becoming upset or angry may contribute to even bigger tantrums! Take time to listen to your child, understand and acknowledge their feelings. Once they have calmed down, discuss alternative activities that they can look to when they aren’t allowed to use their devices” (Candland, 2019). When your  TV show or movie is over, turn the TV off and avoid the television from causing distraction while having your family time. 
4. Turn your devices in at the end of the night: Having your kids turn in their phones, tablets, and other devices before they go to bed will prevent them from using them while they’re supposed to be sleeping. Don’t allow your child to have a television in their room. One way you can make sure your children turn in their devices at night is by creating communal charging stations where the devices get plugged in This idea also can create additional boundaries and structure in the home. Without having these distractions in their own bedrooms, they may have more opportunities to occupy themselves with other activities and hobbies like playing outside, painting, reading, etc. 
5. Make sure screens are facing a communal space: Don’t allow screen monitors to face towards the wall where you can’t  see what your children are looking at. Face the monitors away from the wall and make sure that family computers are in a communal space. By having screens in a communal space is beneficial not only for kids but for the whole family. Even parents who abide by this principle can have peace in their own bedrooms, because they won’t be distracted by screens. For your children, they will learn to understand the benefits of having and using your devices in communal spaces.

Setting these boundaries and developing these habits may be easier while your children are young. Even if they are older, it’s not too late to implement these rules/boundaries. Their purpose is to create balance in your child’s life and balance in your household as you learn safe and responsible device use. Now is the time to develop these habits in your home.

If you need help starting conversations with your children about using technology for good and having a healthy balance of screen time, check out our book Conversations with My Kids: 30 Essential Family Discussions for the Digital Age or 30 Days to a Stronger Child. 

Emie Marulanda is a student at Brigham Young University-Idaho who is currently studying Marriage and Family Studies. She is passionate about empowering parents to empower their kids for a bright, healthy future.

Citations:

Candland, L. (2019, November 14). What to do about your child’s screen-time: A glimpse at the negative effects of extended screen-time and what you can do to help. Educate Empower Kids. Retrieved from https://educateempowerkids.org/what-to-do-about-your-childs-screen-time-a-glimpse-at-the-negative-effects-of-extended-screen-time-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/

Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, & *, N. (2022, April 5). How to set boundaries and Limit Screen Time: MV psych. Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates. Retrieved from https://www.mvpsych.com/blog/limit-screen-time/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20American%20Academy,related%20to%20work%20and%20school

Newton, G. (2021, May 25). 6 Strategies To Help Your Child Develop A Healthier Relationship With Screens. Educate Empower Kids. Retrieved from https://educateempowerkids.org/6-strategies-to-help-your-child-develop-a-healthier-relationship-with-screens/ 

 

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