Screen Recommendations
Many families wrestle with the amount of time kids should spend in front of screens. While Smart Families recommends delaying smartphones until high school, we are aware that other screens exist at home (and in classrooms). We encourage families to think beyond the quantity to consider the quality of screen use. Review the recommendations below and prioritize your values to help guide how you utilize screens. These can be helpful for the whole family!
Smart Families Screen Recommendations
Recommendations For Parents
-
Preview programs, games, and apps beforehand
-
Supervise and ideally co-view when your child is engaging with screens
-
Have conversations with your child about what you see, hear, and feel while using screens and after
-
Balance screen time with other activities
-
Turn off screens at night and keep screens out of bedrooms
-
Talk to your kids about how to build a healthy brain
Warning Signs