8 Ways to Set Screen Boundaries That Your Kids Will Actually Respect

Without buy-in, rules become broken, and most are worked around. Learn how to set screen boundaries that will stick without you looking like the screen police.

How to Make It Work

• Involve them in making the rules - when families make Screen Agreements together, those rules are followed, unlike rules that are dictated
• Be specific - saying that there will be 'limited screen time' is vague. Saying that after school work is done, screen time will be done by 8:30 is a specific and enforceable time.
• Have screen free zones & screen free times - there are no devices at the dinner table or at family time & in bedrooms after a certain time.
• Model it - children do what they see. If you are on your phone all evening, you can't expect your child to follow the screen time rules.
• Charge all devices outside the bedroom for the night - charge yours outside the bedroom too. This is a game changer.
• Give a countdown - 'we are done in 15 minutes' decreases the negative feelings that come with an abrupt end.
• Recognize self-regulation - saying nothing when your child puts the device down on their own (especially when they are not asked) is negative reinforcement.
• Remember that rules will change as your child gets older - rules that worked when you child was 8, won't work when they are 13. Check the agreements yearly to make sure everyone is on the same page.

The goal is not to have no screen time, it is for children to learn self-regulation. The agreements are temporary, self-regulation is the ideal.

What is the one screen time rule that is actually working for your family? Share it with us!

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