Setting realistic summer screentime limits and why it matters

Figuring out how to best manage screentime can be overwhelming, so add in the long, aimless days of summer, and it can feel downright impossible. School is out, you need to check things off your to-do list, and your kiddo is telling you that they are bored on repeat, so of course, it’s understandable that everyone is reaching for their screens. 

That’s why the team at Bend is here to help you better understand the impact that excessive screen time can have on kids and teens, find ways to set realistic limits, and how to drop the guilt and access support when you need it the most. 

What is excessive screen time, and why does it matter? 

Let’s establish one thing right away — this is a judgment-free zone. We know that parenting is an all-consuming job, and sometimes you just need to get through the day. And we also want to provide you with all of the information and tools that you need to make the best decisions for you and your family. 

Remember that screens aren’t inherently bad. Devices like phones, tablets, laptops, streaming services on TV, and gaming systems can be a great way for young people to connect with others, get access to enriching information, express themselves, and to feel entertained. 

Excessive screen time refers to spending so much time on electronic devices that it begins to negatively affect a person’s overall well-being. A new study from Bend shows that children with higher screen use—specifically video streaming, internet use, and gaming—tend to have more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD-related behaviors. 

This study helps move beyond the ‘screens are bad’ narrative by showing that screen time may actually be a reflection of underlying distress, and that when we treat the root causes, screen use often improves alongside mental health symptoms. And it also reinforces that not all screen use is equal, and that some kids may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of technology, especially when they’re already struggling with mental health challenges.

If you feel that your child or teen is struggling with excessive tech usage, consider reaching out to the team at Bend for support. Our clinicians have created an evidence-based, supportive program to help kids, teens, young adults, and their families take a balanced approach to building healthier tech habits. 

Ways to set realistic summer screentime limits 

Tech can be a wonderful addition to a fun-filled summer experience, so we’re here to help you find realistic solutions and boundaries so that everyone in your family can feel their best. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Open up the conversation surrounding tech. Take some time to sit down as a family and get curious about the role devices play in your household and how you can work together to set some limits. Give everyone a chance to participate in the conversation, ensuring that you create a safe, judgment-free environment. You can download your own personalizable Bend Family Tech Plan to help you get started. Be sure to revisit and revise your plan as often as needed.
  
  
• Establish a summertime routine. It can be confusing for everyone in the family to transition from a jam-packed school schedule to the breezier summer days. Kids crave structure, so try working together to establish a revised daily routine that will include things like wake-up time, meal times, chill time, and bedtime. You can post the routine (with pictures for younger children) on the wall in your home so that everyone can see it. Sure, it won’t always run smoothly, and you want to leave space for spontaneity, but it can help to set expectations so everyone is on the same page.

• Make time to connect and check in. We know that life gets busy, but try spending one-on-one time with your child or teen each day simply listening to them, asking curious questions about their daily experiences and their digital lives. Notice when they are most open and communicative (bedtime, at the dinner table, on the drive home from school, while eating a snack, etc.), and try to adjust your schedule and put away distractions to protect this window of time.
  
  
• Prioritize screen-free family activities. Take some time to brainstorm screen-free ways to have fun as a family. Can you take a trip to the beach, a walk in a local park, start a garden together, have a weekly board game night, start an art project, or cook a special meal together? Get creative and come up with ways you can all unplug and connect with one another.
  
  
• Seek out support when you need it. Juggling it all as a parent over the summer time can be downright exhausting. Consider reaching out to line up additional childcare, ask a loved one to step in and help, or reach out to a fellow parent if you need extra help throughout the busier days. 

By starting the conversation surrounding tech now and continuing it as your child grows up, you’re letting them know that they can always come to you for guidance and support as they navigate digital experiences. Remember that Bend is here to help you through every season of parenting, so reach out if your family could use some additional support this summer. 

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