Managing Screen Time: Five Effective Strategies for Parents

Thu Mar 26 2026 18:55:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Navigate the challenges of children's screen time with practical tips from parenting experts that promote healthy habits without panic.

As parents grapple with their children's screen time amid concerns about social media addiction, experts provide five effective strategies to manage device use. Tips include starting small with realistic changes, involving older children in conversations about screen time, leveraging screen time for learning, modeling good behavior, and maintaining a calm approach. By fostering healthy habits and understanding the digital landscape, parents can effectively encourage balanced screen usage.

If you're a parent, you may have felt somewhat validated by a recent US court ruling that Meta and Google intentionally built addictive social media platforms that harmed the mental health of a young woman.

Lawyers for the woman, known as Kaley, argued that features of Instagram, such as infinite scroll, were designed to be addictive.

Although the court ruling has been lauded as a game-changing moment for social media companies, it's of little practical use to parents across the world who are trying to cut down their kids' screen time.

We asked some parenting experts for their tips on how to pry those phones away from their offspring's hands – even if only for a short while.

1. Start small and be realistic

Many parents who have already given their children tablets or smartphones might wonder if the best thing is to just get rid of them. But Dr. Jane Gilmour, a child psychologist, believes that this might not be the most productive option. Changing a habit is always going to be hard, she states. Rather, she suggests implementing changes at neutral moments rather than during heated arguments about screen time.

A good initial step could be to designate a specific place in the home for devices, such as a particular cupboard, which can help establish boundaries.

2. Be collaborative

Child psychologist Dr. Maryhan Baker recommends involving older children and teenagers in conversations regarding screen time. Acknowledging the social pressures related to social media can help parents gain their cooperation. Having a regular discussion about finding healthy balance in their usage can lead to better outcomes.

3. Turn screen time into learning opportunities

Parents can learn from their children about the evolving trends and fads on social media, thus turning screen time discussions into valuable teaching moments on digital literacy.

4. Model good behavior

Encouraging screen habits in children often requires parents to reflect on their own usage. Embracing boredom can also promote creativity and internal exploration, which can positively influence both parents and children.

5. Don't panic

Dr. Tony Sampson from the University of Essex advises against moral panic regarding adolescent screen usage. He emphasizes the neuroplasticity of children's brains, which allows them to adapt better than adults, suggesting that positive technological interactions can enhance learning and creativity.