How to set family rules for screen time and device use?

Sit down as a family and draft rules together. Let children have input on time limits, device-free zones, and consequences. Write the agreement on paper, have everyone sign it (including parents), and post it visibly. Review and update quarterly as children mature.

Designate specific places and times as device-free for the entire family: the dinner table, bedrooms after a set time, the first hour after school, and the car during short trips. Provide a charging station in a common area where all devices live overnight.

Not all screen time is equal. An hour of creative coding on Scratch, a video call with grandparents, or a nature documentary is fundamentally different from an hour of mindless scrolling. Shift the conversation from "how much" to "what kind" of screen time is happening.

Set daily screen time limits through Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, or Amazon Kids+. These tools let you set per-app time limits, schedule downtime hours, and approve content. Children see a countdown as their time runs out, building awareness.

If screen time has become a constant source of family conflict, or if a child shows signs of problematic device use (withdrawal, anger when devices are removed, declining grades, sleep disruption), a family therapist specializing in technology can help. They provide strategies tailored to your…