Ask Nicole

Healthy Screen Time Habits

When I was young, my family had a TV, but no video games, Betamax player or VCR. When we weren’t doing chores, my siblings and I spent hours reading books, playing games, dancing to records, and building forts—always with lots of teasing, bickering, and laughter. Sometimes I wished my family could be more like those of my friends, with fewer TV restrictions and more cool gadgets, but my younger self didn’t know I’d have plenty of time to get hooked on screens as an adult. Now, I’m thrilled when my kids—who don’t know life without screens—initiate a conversation, a family game night, or anything that doesn’t involve staring at a screen. We will always be a screen-loving family, but finding a healthy balance is a worthy goal.

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the worldrenowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, email me at triplep@first5scc.org.

Dear Nicole, Screen time helped my kids (14, 16) get through the pandemic. Texting, social media and watching movies helped them stay connected to friends and prevented boredom. But now they’re on their devices all the time and we want to reinstate some limits. We’re worried they’ll think we’re being unfair or too restrictive. How can we bring up this topic with them? — Victor

Dear Victor, You’re not alone! It’s often difficult for parents and caregivers to set and follow through on screen time limits, but it’s important to teach children and teens to use screens (social media, video games, movies, etc.) in healthy, responsible ways. This teaches them self-regulation skills and prepares them for responsibilities later in life. Here are some tips to try:

SCREEN TIMEOUT Technology has helped many kids through the pandemic, but it’s okay to set boundaries.

Talk With Your Teens

Have a family meeting about screen time. Acknowledge that you’ve been lenient about screen time rules because of the pandemic. Let them know that was temporary, and now you’d like to create family agreements that provide a healthier balance.

Understand Their Screen Habits

Before discussing limits, ask questions to better understand your teens’ screen time habits. Remember that screen time isn’t always or automatically harmful. For instance, watching a movie can be enjoyable and provide a break from schoolwork or other challenging tasks. And using technology to read, play active games or exercise, connect with peers, or create art, music, or videos can be beneficial and even help kids develop useful skills for school and future jobs. But too much screen time can contribute to physical health problems (headaches, lack of sleep) and mental health concerns (depression, anxiety), especially if it increases social isolation, decreases physical activity, or exposes kids to bullying or other inappropriate content.

Develop Family Agreements

Keep them simple and realistic. Consider setting weekly (versus daily) screen time limits, defining types of content or activities that are acceptable versus off-limits, and agreeing on rules about when and where screens can be used (e.g., “Put away phones while we eat,” or “Turn devices off by 10 p.m.”). Involve your teens in defining these agreements, how they will follow them, and what will happen if they ignore the rules. Remember that logical consequences, such as temporarily removing screen time privileges, are meant to be a teaching tool versus a punishment. Emphasize that the more your teens take responsibility for following the family agreements, the less you have to intervene to enforce the rules. Then focus on setting a good example with your own screen time habits.

Emphasize that the more your teens take responsibility for following the family agreements, the less you have to intervene to enforce the rules.

Identify Other Activities

Find out what sports, art, music, and other activities are available (and COVID-safe) at school or in the community. Encourage your kids to pick a non-screen activity they’re interested in and that will fit your family’s schedule and budget. It could be an activity they do alone, together, or even as a family.

Encourage Behavior You Want to See

When your kids do other activities or follow the family agreements on their own, show interest and give your attention. It can be as simple as asking, “What music are you listening to?” or saying, “Thanks for putting away your phones. I really enjoy our dinnertime conversations.” This helps shift everyone’s attention to the things your teens are doing well instead of things you wish they would stop doing.

Final Thoughts

Teaching kids about healthy screen time limits is one way to help them become confident, competent individuals. And who knows…parents and caregivers could benefit, too!

Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 18 and 21, who also manages Santa Cruz County's Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world's leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit http:// triplep.first5scc.org, http:// www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org. Home Networks Security Cameras Wi-Fi Upgrades Home Networks Security Cameras Wi-Fi Upgrades Home Networks Security Cameras Wi-Fi Upgrades An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed up slow connections, choose the rightAn experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed up slow connections, choose the right equipment and sort through the challenges ofyou speed up slow connections, choose the right up slow connections, choose the right equipment and sort equipment and sort through the challenges of keeping your home technology devices on-line andequipment and sort through the challenges of through the challenges of keeping your home technology keeping your home technology devices on-line and performing well. Ask us about whole home audiokeeping your home technology devices on-line and devices on-line and performing well. Ask us about whole home performing well. Ask us about whole home audio and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!performing well. Ask us about whole home audioaudio and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation! and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!

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