Here’s How Cutting Screen Time in Half Changed One Teen’s Life
By Movieguide® Contributor
A UK family has seen a “massive difference” in their 14-year-old daughter after she decided to cut her screen time in half.
Violet took part in a three-week screen time challenge after realizing she was spending up to 10 hours a day on her phone.
“I wanted to reduce my screen time but I would think, ‘How can I when there is nothing but my phone?’” she asked. “There would be days when I would spend about an hour doing homework but other than that, it was just TikTok.”
The challenge encouraged Violet to continue cutting down on her phone usage, and now, she fills her days with hobbies like baking and reading.
“I’ve managed to read four books already this month!” she said.
She has also set time limits on her phone; one hour on Snapchat and two hours on TikTok keep Violet from endlessly scrolling for hours.
She isn’t the only young person rethinking the amount of time they spend on their phone.
A survey conducted by BBC Radio 5 found that 23% of teenagers agree that smartphones should be banned for under-16s, and 35% think social media should be banned for under-16s.
Violet’s family has noticed the change and is now encouraging parents to have conversations with their own kids about putting their phones down.
“My view was that all children go on their phones and it was part of fitting in and being connected to the modern world,” Violet’s father, James, said. “But it probably was impacting her welfare, from speaking to her afterwards.”
He urged parents to “open up the debate” and look at their own screen time — “Could that time be spent elsewhere doing quality things with your children?”
Dr. Scott Roth, a psychologist and the founder and clinical director at Applied Psychological Services of New Jersey, told Parents.com that parents should cut down on the amount of time they spend on screens if they want their kids to do the same.
“A great intervention for parents is developing awareness,” he explained. “Your child actually might become your teacher and tell you ‘why do I have to get off of my screen when you are always staring at yours’?”
Movieguide® previously reported on ways to reduce children’s screen time:
As studies continue to discover how screen time detrimentally affects children, many parents are looking for ways to limit their kids’ use of the technology.
As parents hope to curb these negative effects, Momtastic suggests these tips:
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- Set Screen Time Limits: Establish clear and consistent screen time limits for different activities, such as TV, video games, and social media. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2 to 5 years should have no more than one hour of high-quality screen time per day, and children under 18 months should avoid screen time altogether.
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- Create Screen-Free Zones: Designate specific areas in your home, such as the dining room or bedrooms, where screens are not allowed. This helps prevent screens from intruding on family time and sleep.
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- Be a Role Model: Children often emulate the behavior of adults. If you want your child to spend less time on screens, be a positive role model by reducing your own screen time and engaging in non-screen activities.
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- Provide Alternative Activities: Encourage your child to engage in alternative activities like reading, outdoor play, creative arts and crafts, or board games. Make these activities readily available and appealing.
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- Plan Screen Time: Instead of allowing unrestricted screen access, plan screen time as a part of your child’s daily routine. Set specific times for screen use, such as after homework or chores are completed.
