Summertime Screen Time

Reading Time: 2.4 mins

June 20, 2024

It’s summer and the school holidays are nearly here! While we can’t guarantee sun time, we can predict high levels of screen time for our children and young people during the school holiday season.

It might seem that the easiest option for managing screen time is to not allow it at all, but screen time activities like gaming and social media are a source of fun for children and young people. It is often how they communicate with their friends while they’re not seeing them every day at school, so banning all screen time would most likely be counterproductive or even harmful, as it can cut off children and young people from their outside world.

A more productive approach would be to establish boundaries and develop healthy habits, which will balance their screen time while also ensuring their needs are recognised.

Top Tips for Managing Screen Time

Here are some tips to help you begin the journey to less screen time with the children and young people in your care.

Be curious, not confrontational

In the regular conversations you have with the children and young people in your care, ask them questions out of interest like, “That game looks fun, what do you like about it?”. This creation of a casual and open space will make them more likely to share more with you about what they’re doing online.

Make a plan

Review your family’s screen time habits by using our activity pack. Agree together what good screen time habits are and set clear boundaries on how much time to spend on devices every day. Every child or young person will have different needs when it comes to screen time, so keep this in mind when making your plan.

Use tools to manage screen time and access to platforms

Many platforms offer parental controls that limit screen time and access to age-appropriate content. Check out our Safety Centre for more information and platform-specific advice.

Arrange off-screen activities

Having fun and entertaining ways for children and young people to spend their time when they’re away from their devices will encourage them to stick to their plan. Board games, gardening, crafting and reading are some ideas to have fun while learning some useful skills.

Lead by example

Adults spend nearly as much time on their screens as children and young people, with the average adult in the UK spending over 6 hours a day on digital devices. Always remember, your children are looking to you as an example, so seek to manage your own screen time as well as theirs!