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SUMMER AND SCREENS:
Ideas for More IRL Adventures JENTRIE HALES
community advocate, @techhealthyfamily
Summer equals swimming, fun in the sun, snowcones, and SCREENS. It’s fair to say that there are lots of good intentions when summer starts to make meaningful memories and spend time outside. However, those pesky attention-seeking devices can distract from those experiences, prevent kids from going outside, and stimulate the brain at all hours of the night. Make this summer less of a headache by incorporating these tools and others to have more In Real Life (IRL) summer adventures.
MAKE A MEDIA PLAN You know when you see a friend and you say something like “We need to get together soon,” and you know that’s actually not going to happen unless you make a plan right then and there to do that? The same is true for our intentions with screens. Good intentions are only that until you put them into action. Media plans can help with the doing part. Make a plan that is clear, understood by everyone, and that you are willing and able to follow through with.
Include the whole family in the process as much as possible. You can find great online templates to utilize. REPEAT AFTER ME, "SCREENS ARE A PRIVILEGE" No matter how much your child emphasizes that all of their friends have this or that device, having access to electronics is not an inherent right. While I agree that aspects of these devices are helpful and beneficial to kids and teens, many functions are not crucial. Consider these privilege-reinforcer-tactics based on the age and trust level of your child: • A screen-time checklist of chores, time outside, reading, etc., before using their device. • Charge and store devices in a central location. • Ask permission and state intentions before using devices. It feels like devices, and especially phones, feel scarier to frame in this way. However, if your … continued on next page
