Smartphones are central to teens’ daily routine. It’s not only used to stay in contact with friends or scroll social media.
From creating videos to doing homework, there is a lot of consider when helping teens balance their screen time.
Explore the guide below to find support.
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GET YOUR TOOLKITTo help teens balance screen time, it’s more about showing them the tools to self-regulate and self-reflect. Research completed with TikTok also found that while teens recognise when they need help, they benefit most from taking ownership of their own screen time. In all, they said they would benefit from more support with:
The platforms and devices that we use every day are cleverly designed to keep us using them for as long as possible. Persuasive design is built into the DNA of all of these products.
Tristan Harris from the Center for Humane Technology explained that we as individuals can try to use our devices more responsibly, but it’s our willpower against hundreds of engineers paid to keep us glued to the screen. This means that it is completely understandable for teens to struggle with putting their devices down.
According to research from Ofcom:
of 16-17-year-olds watch videos across platforms
of teens send messages or make video calls
of 12-15-year-olds use social media apps or sites
of 16-17-year-olds watch live streams
Although almost 9 in 10 parents take measures to limit their child’s use of devices, parents of teens are less likely to take any measures.
As children grow, it is important they have more freedom and fewer restrictions. However, they need to develop the skills to manage this on their own. So, it’s important to talk regularly and discuss the settings they use.
According to our Look Both Ways report, half of parents of 14-16-year-olds worry about their children’s use of social media and its impact on their overall mental wellbeing.
Not all screen time is created equal, so it’s important to encourage a healthy balance between passive screen time (e.g. watching YouTube) and active screen time (e.g. creating content or playing games online).
Additionally, there is no official guidance on the right level of screen time. Lack of evidence has meant that experts find it hard to recommend a cut-off for screen time overall. As such, balanced use ensures teens’ screen use leaves them feeling positive about time spent online.
One size does not fit all when it comes to screen time; it varies based on an individual’s needs. However, some signs a child spends too much time on screens include:
Here are 5 ways to help teens manage their screen use and time online.
Research from Ofcom found it commonplace for children across age groups to multi-task screen time with other activities. These include watching TV, playing video games and doing homework while also paying attention to another screen.
To help teen balance their screen time, it’s important to set simple rules they can follow about when devices are appropriate and when they’re not. Think about:
Use our digital family agreement template to agree on boundaries together.
Talk to them about the apps they use and the content they enjoy. Having regular conversations means you can stay on top of their device use while giving them space to come to you if they need support.
Learn how they communicate with others as they become more socially active online and draw from friends, passions and online sources to build their identity.
The more you get involved and understand the things your teen does online, the easier it is to gain their trust and guide what they do in their digital world.
Additionally, making screens part of family time, like a movie or an online games night, is one way to make screen time active to positively impact their wellbeing.
Be open and honest about online risks teens face and share your own experience. This might help them feel confident about talking to you if they get into trouble online.
Remember not to overreact and to listen. Often, we want to provide a solution before they’ve had a chance to fully share what’s bother them. You want them to come back to you the next time they need support, so try not to scare them away!
Additionally, show them practical things they can do to deal with risks online, like blocking and reporting on the platforms they use.
Lastly, remind them to think carefully about what they post and share with others online. This will help them build and maintain a positive online reputation that will serve them well later on in life.
Whatever devices your teen uses, take the time to sit together and review the free tools available to help them take control of their screen time.
In research with TikTok, teens expressed a desire for agency when it comes to handling their screen time. However, they also found it important to get help from parents when they asked for it.
Provide them with a range of options based on what they say they need to help them take ownership of their online safety and wellbeing.
All consoles and some social platforms have built-in settings that can alert them when they reach a certain amount of time. See some popular ones here:
It’s important teens know that most platforms are purposely built to keep them watching or playing. This awareness can help them avoid mindless scrolling.
Encourage them think carefully and critically about how they want to spend their time online. They can do this by thinking about how each activity makes them feel. Mindless scrolling might help them unwind for a few minutes. However, after an hour, they might feel like that time was wasted.
Help them find new interests and explore new apps or video games to support positive feelings from being online.
See our Skill-building Apps Guide to help them discover new interests.
See related advice and practical tips to support children online:
