How to Raise Screenwise Kids

Practical guides and real strategies for families navigating screens.

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Parent Starter Kit

Most parenting advice about screens is either too vague or too alarming. This starter kit cuts through the noise. Five of the top questions parents like you ask, and real answers. It's everything you need to start the conversation with your kids, and with yourself.

53 expert-backed answers

Screenwise Q&A

In-depth, research-based guidance on the most common questions parents ask about children, screens, and digital safety.

Questions

Quick Answer

There's no perfect number, but there are recommendations based on what researchers find is the tipping point for most kids at various ages. What matters most is what they're doing on screens, when they're using them, and how it affects mood, sleep, social life, and development.

In Depth

Experts agree that the biggest risks come from interactive, high-dopamine activities (social media, gaming, TikTok/video shorts), night-time screen use, using screens instead of sleep and physical activity, and chronic overstimulation from fast switching and rapid cuts.

Age-based recommendations:

Age 0-2: No screen time to very minimal.
Age 2-5: ~1 hour/day of high-quality, parent-co-watched content.
Age 6-12: 1-2 hours/day of recreational screen use. Experts recommend delaying smartphones until age 13 and staying off social media until age 16.
Teens: Balance screens with homework, sleep, exercise, hobbies, friends, and family time. Delay smartphones until age 13 and social media until age 16.
General rules for all ages: no phones or iPads before school, no screens 1-2 hours before bed.

Signs that screen time is becoming unhealthy:

Moodiness or irritability when screens end or throughout the day
Loss of interest in non-screen activities
Trouble sleeping
Decline in focus or school performance
Constant requests to be on devices
Meltdowns when transitioning off
Sneaking or lying about screen use
Less outdoor time and less socializing
Anxiety, social anxiety, depression, or difficulty focusing in school
Excessive weight gain from being sedentary

What You Can Do Now

Create "Screen-Free Anchors": breakfast, after-school transition, dinner, and last 2 hours before bed

Use the Screenwise Rule of 3: Did they move their body? Did they have real-world connection? Did they complete responsibilities?

Choose slow, creative, or educational digital activities over fast-paced, addictive ones

How to Raise Screenwise Kids

Parent Starter Kit

Screenwise Q&A

How much screen time is healthy for my child at their age?

What are the signs that screen time is negatively affecting my child?

How do I create healthy boundaries without constant power struggles?

What is "dopamine addiction," and how do screens affect it?

Is it harmful for kids to have screens before bed?

How can we reduce screen time without my child feeling punished?

How do I help my child transition off screens without meltdowns?

What screen-time rules actually work for busy families?

Should kids have their own smartphone, or is a shared family device better?

What's the difference between educational screen time and entertainment screen time?

What is the right age to allow social media?

How does social media impact anxiety, depression, and self-esteem?

What platforms are the most risky for kids and teens?

How do I talk to my child about comparing themselves to others online?

How do algorithms influence my child's worldview or mental health?

How can I monitor social media in a way that respects privacy but still keeps them safe?

Should my child's account be private or public?

How do I help my child handle FOMO (fear of missing out) created by social media?

How do I protect my child from online predators or grooming?

What apps/platforms are known for stranger contact, and how do I block it?

How do I teach my child what to do if a stranger messages them online?

What are the signs that my child may be communicating with someone unsafe?

Should my child be gaming with strangers online?

How do I make online gaming safer for kids?

What should I do if my child has already seen porn?

How do I discuss porn in a healthy, age-appropriate way?

How do I protect my child from violent or disturbing videos?

What parental controls actually work?

How do I talk to my child if they see something scary, shocking, or traumatizing?

What is cyberbullying and how do I recognize it?

How do I help my child if they are being bullied online (WhatsApp groups, gaming chats, Instagram, etc.)?

How do I prevent group chats from becoming toxic?

How do I talk to my child about not becoming a bully themselves?

Should kids be allowed in WhatsApp class groups?

How do I talk to other parents about parental controls and content concerns so playdates are safer and more aligned?

How can schools manage digital conflict among students more effectively?

How do I create a family digital-usage plan that everyone actually follows?

How can we build a home culture where kids don't feel dependent on screens?

How do I model healthy digital habits as a parent?

How do I teach my child to say "no" to peers when pressured to watch or share inappropriate content?

What are the best screen-free activities for kids of different ages?

What do I do if my child is already addicted to screens?

How do I teach my child critical thinking about what they see online?

How do I teach my child about misinformation and fake news?

What is a healthy way to introduce digital literacy to younger children?

How do I help my child navigate online friendships vs. real-life friendships?

What data are companies collecting on my child?

How can I protect my child's privacy online?

What are safe practices for passwords, photos, and sharing personal info?

How can we keep screens for learning from becoming screens for entertainment?

How do I partner with the school to promote screenwise and safety for all students?

What are good screen options if "no screens" isn't realistic right now?

How do I rewire my child's brain in 3 weeks with a screen reset?

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