How to Manage Screens Over Summer
Ah, summer break.
Growing up, it was the best time of the year. No school, just freedom to play outside, be with friends, and stay up late. But these days parents have a new thing thrown into the mix- screen time.
For most parents, managing screen time during the school year already feels like a battle, making summer break even more of a challenge for parents and families. This is why I am bringing awareness to this issue and reminding parents that they don’t have to do it alone, by offering my services. It is possible to take summer back and make it enjoyable!
Throughout the year, I help parents navigate challenges around technology and screen time. In parent therapy (also referred to as parent coaching), we work on ways to set limits, offer alternative activities, and respond to children’s reactions to screen time being up. I begin by learning about the family’s needs and then help parents create a custom screen time plan. At the end of each session, parents leave with specific strategies to implement the plan and language to use that promotes change. Families typically see the positive effects of using a structured screen time schedule after it has been in effect for three to four weeks.
In this blog, you will learn the basics and find tips to make screen time work better with your family. If you want to learn more about incorporating my screen time system all year round or want to achieve a major change in the way your kids use technology, please reach out for a consultation!
Basic considerations for screen time plans include:
The plans should be tailored to fit your schedule. Make sure the allotted tech time does not interfere with required events, appointments, or activities. (This is especially important when first implementing the plan so you can build trust.)
They will be most effective if the parent is intentional about when screens can be in use and for how long. (It should have a purpose! Think about how much time they would need to watch a movie or a show and what time of day.)
Providing your kids with the rationale behind using screen time limits can increase their buy-in and understanding. (Realistically, they will only need the reasoning a few times. If you over-explain it, be mindful that you run the risk of entering a power struggle.)
It is helpful to start using the plan at the beginning of the week. Over the weekend you can give brief reminders that the plan will begin on Monday. (We want to frontload your kid on the change coming up)
Depending on your parenting style and the age of your kid(s), you can include them in creating the plan. (This is something I help parents with during parent therapy, as it can be trickier.)
Having a list of alternative activities for your kid(s) beforehand will make redirecting smoother.
Summer specific additions:
Try your best to keep a screen time routine, even if it is on the looser end. Kids do better with predictability.
Give kids a heads up if changes to the tech schedule are approaching.
Keep family screen time separate from individual screen time. (For example, if the family is having a movie night, don’t count that as their allotted amount.)
Re-evaluate and edit the plan before returning to school.
Keep in mind:
There will be a learning curve for the whole family.
Expect some pushback and employ some of the suggestions above to help children accept the changes.
Remember, it can take weeks until everyone is on the same page.
Stay consistent.
Access help if you need it.
Why I endorse this:
Having structure in place for children is crucial in teaching things such as emotional regulation and executive functioning skills . Screens aren’t going away and without your guidelines and guidance, they can become unhealthy or dangerous.
From a therapist’s perspective, screen time management goes deeper than creating rules and limitations. By holding these boundaries, parents are actually strengthening their attachment with their children and building trust through consistency and follow-through. They promote communication skills, self-regulation, delayed gratification, negotiation, perspective-taking, and healthy relationships with technology. I find that the parents I work with gain confidence and empowerment when they can create successful boundaries around screens, and I hope you can experience that as well!
In summary:
Your kids need help managing the freedom summer brings, especially when it comes to technology usage. The suggestions and considerations above can help you create a plan to guide your children over the summer and strengthen your relationship with your kids.
If you have tried the suggestions above and are finding that your child’s responses are concerning or that you are having a hard time implementing structure this summer, reach out and I will be happy to support you.
