Even Teens See Screen Time as a Growing Concern

A recent Pew Research Study revealed that 60% of teens believe that spending too much time online is a “major” problem among their age group. (They’re right. According to a study by Common Sense Media, teens are spending close to nine hours a day in front of screens; kids aged 8-12 average about six hours a day.) What can be done to help curb time spent in front of screens? As a first step, remember our adage: “If he (or she) could, he would. If he can’t, we need to help him.” Here are a few suggestions:

Set a screen time limit (minutes, hours) to set the expectation with your child.
Set family rules … and stick to them. For example, no phones at meal times.
Keep screens out of your child’s bedroom to promote better sleep.
Use technology and explore tools like Circle or other online apps to block websites and manage screen time.
Lead by example. Try managing your own screen time, especially when around your children (they’re always watching).