Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
Think about your child’s overall health and wellness. Ask these three basic questions:
- Is my child getting plenty of sleep and exercise?
- Is my child keeping up with their schoolwork and academic expectations?
- Is my child spending adequate in-person quality time with family and friends?
If the answer to any of these questions is a “no,” then it’s likely time to make changes in your family’s rules about screens. Consider the following recommendations:
- Set specific times on specific days of the week that are open for screen time so that expectations are clear.
- Extra screen time can be earned for positive behavior once in a while.
- Provide a list of non-screen activities to do when bored. Better yet, have your children come up with a list of their own!
- Remember that it’s normal for your child to resist or push back against new rules but when parents/caregivers hold to the rules consistently, the resistance will decrease over time.
- Don’t engage in long debates about the rules. Once it’s set, it’s set. However, it’s okay to be flexible at times like vacation.
This publication was authored by CPCMG Associate Director of Behavioral Mental Health, Dr. Patty Lee, and Harrison Howard, P.A.
Reviewed by: HH P.A., PL M.D., HB M.D. | 06/2024