From the School Counsellor

Teaching Your Child to Manage Screen Time Independently

When your child seems to want a lot of screen time it is important to start good habits early.

Here are some ways you can empower your child to manage screen time effectively. 

• Talk About Our Limited Time: Talk to your child about how much time they spend on screens. 
• Make a list together about all the other things they like to do. 
• Discuss how too much screen time will take away from time to do these other things. Maybe talk about family values and how our actions and choices matter.
• Discuss Screen Influence: Explain that apps, websites, shows and games are made to keep them interested. 
• Tell them how these companies make money when we use their stuff a lot.
• Set Limits Together:Ask them how much screen time they think is fair. 
• Let them help to decide the limit. They might surprise you and suggest a good balance.
• Use Tools:Decide together how you will keep track of screen time, like using a timer or separate tracker. If they have trouble sticking to the limit talk about it again. This help them learn that the topic will be ongoing until you find a solution that works for both sides.
• Encourage Independence: As they get older, let your kids be in charge of managing screen time, trust them to stop without reminders. This helps them to learn to be responsible.

By involving your child in these decisions, you are teaching them important skills like managing time and setting limits. They will learn to balance screen time with other activities to create healthier habits for the future.(Source: Nir Eyal - Stanford University)

I have attached some screen time agreement options and alternative activities.

Warm regards,

Georgina Watney (School Counsellor)