As the school year begins and kids transition from fun summer nights to structured school days, it’s important to establish practical back to school strategies. 

This guide provides helpful tips and everyday solutions for setting screen time boundaries. Learn now to encourage digital wellness, balance, and responsible technology use for kids of all ages.

How Can Parents Set Healthy Screen Time Limits for Kids?

Emily Gatto, a therapist at TLC Wellness, emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries that are realistic to your family, not based on what others are doing online. Stay consistent through the school year, so screen time limits stick. 

“Boundaries work best when they are consistent and modeled by parents,”said Emily. “Children notice if rules apply only to them, but not to their parents. It’s just like in a workplace where resentment builds when the “boss” doesn’t follow the rules. If the rule is no screens at the table, parents should also put their phones away during meals.”

Understanding Screen Time Guidelines

Excessive screen time can affect children’s sleep, mood, concentration, social interactions, and physical well being. When technology replaces playtime, exercise, or family bonding, kids may struggle to maintain daily routines and responsibilities. Establishing healthy screen time guidelines creates balance so children can thrive in the classroom and at-home.

Age is a key factor in determining healthy screen time for children. Here are suggestions based on different age groups: 

• Preschool Kids: One hour per day (or less)
• Elementary School Kids: Two hours per day
• Middle and High School Kids: Three hours per day

Establishing Screen Time Boundaries

Screen time management can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to establish a plan that sets clear expectations. Emily Gatto recommends parents lead with calm support and praise for honesty when problems arise. This builds trust between you and your child.

Strategies for enforcing screen time limits: 

• Create screen-free zones in the house (dinner table, bedrooms, outdoor play).
• Model healthy screen time habits by limiting your screen time usage around kids.
• Implement no screen time an hour before bed, instead encourage reading. 
• Use apps that offer monitoring and teachable moments such as OurPact, Qustodio, Bark, Screen Time, Google Family Link, and Net Nanny (recommendations by therapist Emily Gatto).
• Gradually increase independence by giving your child more freedom once they’ve shown responsible screen time habits.

Encouraging Mindful Media Consumption

Reduced screen time can encourage children to explore other activities. Free time can be spent reading, playing outside, participating in art classes for kids, hanging out with friends, trying new sports, and more. When kids participate in activities that stimulate their mental, emotional, and social well-being, it limits their exposure to toxic, negative content online. 

Parents can teach their children mindful media consumption habits by utilizing the 30-30-30 screen time rule. This includes 30 minutes of intentional screen time, followed by 30 minutes of physical activity or movement, and then 30 minutes of offline time (reading, drawing, family time, etc).

Consequences for Poor Screen Time Habits

Kids may slip up from time to time and fail to follow set screen time limits. Emily Gatto suggests that if parents administer consequences to kids for poor screen time habits, that they stay firm and consistent.

“If you are going to remove a device as a consequence, whether it is a TV for a young child or a cell phone for a teen, only set limits you can stick with,” said Emily. “A consequence for a day is more meaningful with follow through than verbalizing a consequence for a week and “caving” to the repeated asking for it back.”

Promoting Healthy Habits for Kids & Families

Back-to-school season is the best time to create healthy habits for kids. With a new school year, parents set a back-to-school bedtime and create a consistent routine for their children. Implementing mindful media use and plenty of active playtime can round out these new healthy routines.  

Instead of screens, organizing family activities can also provide children with enjoyable experiences while strengthening your family bond. Try things like playing board games, baking treats, building forts, or watching movies together. 

Screen Time Boundaries for a Productive School Year

Technology and social media play a major role in our daily lives. It’s important to set healthy screen time boundaries for kids during the school year. Screen time limits help boost focus, strengthen family bonds, and improve academic success. 

Parents can also support their children’s growth by practicing flexibility and adjusting screen time limits over time. If you need to delay smart phone access to ensure your kids remain focused during the school year, remember to administer screen time consequences that are practical and doable for your family. 

Lead photo courtesy of Canva.