Summer Break Screen Time
For better or worse, summer is officially here. The sun is shining, the days are longer, and the kids are out of school. Summer break inevitably comes with more free time and relaxed schedules for your kiddos. Many parents worry that the increased free time will also lead to increased screen time. In this blog we’ll discuss tips and tricks to help manage the impossible task of summer time screen time.
The effects of screen time on your child’s mental health is well documented. In a U.S. teen survey, those with 4 or more hours of daily screen time had higher rates of anxiety symptoms (27.1% vs 12.3%) and depression symptoms (25.9% vs 9.5%) than teens with less than 4 hours a day. Similar results appear when looking at the use of screens with smaller children. Heavy screen exposure can result in slower development, behavioral issues, and sleep disruption.
The Bible gives us a clear understanding of what thriving kids look like. Zechariah 8 paints a beautiful picture of the way the Lord will bless Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there (Zechariah 8:4-5).” Play is a gift from God, a sign of peace, and a healthy part of childhood.
This is all to say, that screens are not always harmful. The better framework for navigating screentime is not to eliminate it per say, but instead to regulate it. It helps to start with identifying your values and what developmentally appropriate tasks you want to protect. For example, sleep, physical activity, and face to face social interactions are all developmentally appropriate tasks that as a parent you should implement boundaries to protect. This might look like adding in screen free outdoor play time this summer before your child is allowed to engage in sedentary screentime. This is an example of regulating without having to eliminate.
General pediatric guidelines suggest prioritizing sleep, physical activity, in-person relationships, chores, and school before screens. Choose high‑quality, age-appropriate content and co-watch when kids are young. Keep bedrooms and mealtimes screen‑free as much as possible. In addition, pediatric guidelines suggest specific screen time considerations according to age:
Under 18 months
Avoid screens entirely.
Only exception: video chatting with close family, with an adult present and interacting with the child.
18–24 months
If screens are used, keep it very limited.
Use only high‑quality, slow‑paced educational content, always with a caregiver watching and talking with the child (labeling what’s happening, connecting it to real life).
Ages 2–5 years
Aim for about 1 hour per day of high‑quality content.
Co-view when possible so you can explain, ask questions, and help them connect it to the real world.
Avoid fast-paced, violent, or overstimulating shows/apps; protect naps and bedtime (no screens 1 hour before bed).
Ages 6–12 years (elementary)
Often suggested target: around 1–2 hours per day of recreational screen time, not including homework.
Build a “media plan” that makes sure screens come after homework, chores, physical activity, family time, and sleep.
Keep devices out of bedrooms at night to protect sleep and reduce conflict.
Teens
No strict universal number works for every teen; focus on functioning and balance:
Getting 8–10 hours of sleep (depending on age)
Completing schoolwork
Regular physical activity and in-person friendships
Stable mood and behavior
You might be thinking “okay this all sounds good but how do I realistically implement it?” These recommendations are meant to guide your family, not shame them. With that being said let’s discuss some practical ideas to manage screen time this summer:
Set expectations early. Have a conversation with your kids early about what your screentime expectations are and why they matter for their health, sleep, and mood. Try to make this process collaborative by asking them what feels fair to them and come to a solution together. Bonus if you write out the rules and provide a visual.
Protect sleep: Keep phones out of the bedroom to protect their sleep. Create a “charging station” in the kitchen or living room where all devices (including the adults’!) sleep at night.
Promote connection: Keep phones away from the dinner table to protect family connection time. This applies to the adults too!
Boredom is beneficial. Boredom allows kids to use their imaginations in order to entertain themselves. You don’t need to provide entertainment for your kiddos 24/7. Boredom is an opportunity for your kids to increase their creativity and problem solving skills. You can even narrate this shift: “It sounds like you’re bored. That’s your brain telling you it’s time to get creative. What are three things you could do right now without a screen?”
Utilize screen limits and timers to enforce screen time boundaries when you’re busy. These tools can reduce power struggles because the device simply turns off or locks when time is up, instead of you having to be the “bad guy.” Let your kids know ahead of time what limit you’re setting and what they can expect when the timer goes off.
Model the same screen time hygiene that you expect your kids to have. If your kids aren’t allowed to have their phones at the dinner table, you shouldn’t either. Leading by example can often be the most effective way to shape change.
Brainstorm a summer bucket list with your kids! This can be a fun activity to do together at the beginning of the summer and can give them ideas when boredom strikes. Include a mix of simple, low‑cost activities (sprinklers, sidewalk chalk, library trips, backyard picnics) and occasional bigger outings (museum, hiking trail, day trip). When they say, “There’s nothing to do,” you can say, “Let’s check the bucket list and pick something.”
Find a like-minded community. Surround yourself with other friends and families that share your values. It is much easier to hold screen boundaries when your kids see that other families have similar rules. Talk with a few trusted friends about your goals for summer screen time and see if they want to join you. Take turns hosting screen‑free playdates, park meet‑ups, or game nights so kids connect face‑to‑face and you get support from other adults.
Overhauling the screen time expectations in your home can be daunting. It’s normal to feel guilty or nervous about making changes. If this is you, remember you don’t have to do it all overnight. Start with small steps and build from there. And remember, screen time limits are not about eliminating; it’s about adding more play and connection into your child’s life this summer!
Cory Fuemmeler, LPC
