After a long day, it’s tempting to just hand over a tablet or turn on the TV. We’ve all been there! In today’s world, screens are everywhere. While technology has its benefits, it can quickly become overwhelming.
We’ve learned that balance is key in our home. Screen time is earned by prioritizing what matters most. This includes time with God, family, schoolwork, and personal growth.
I’m not anti-screens, but I am pro-boundaries. When we approach technology with intention, we teach our kids to use it wisely. If screen time feels like a constant battle in your house, you’re not alone!
While technology can be a great tool, it’s easy for screens to take over. Let’s explore practical, faith-filled ways to set boundaries and keep screen time balanced.
Why Screen Time Boundaries Matter
Too much screen time can lead to:
- Less quality family time
- Disrupted sleep schedules
- Missed opportunities for creativity and learning
By setting boundaries, we help our kids develop healthy habits. We keep God at the center of their lives. It’s not about banning screens altogether but using them in a way that aligns with our values and priorities.
Create a Family Screen Time Plan
Work together as a family to set screen time rules that everyone can follow. A few examples include:
- No screens during meals.
- Screens off at least one hour before bed.
- Limited recreational screen time during weekdays.
Pro Tip: Write down your family’s screen time plan and post it in a common area as a reminder.
Scripture: “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
Lead by Example
Kids learn by watching us! If we want them to have healthy screen habits, we need to model them ourselves. Here’s how:
- Limiting our own screen time.
- Choosing family-friendly content.
- Prioritizing time in God’s Word over time on our phones.
When children see us setting boundaries with technology, they are more likely to do the same.
Replace Screen Time with Faith-Filled Activities
Encourage alternatives to screens that build faith and creativity, such as:
- Reading Bible stories together.
- Doing arts and crafts.
- Playing board games or going outside as a family.
Pro Tip: Use screen-free time to foster deeper family connections.
Let’s Be Real: It’s Not Always Easy
After a long day, it can feel easier to hand over a tablet or turn on the TV just to get a break. But while that might bring temporary relief, unlimited screen time can create bigger struggles down the road: less focus, less family time, and a missed chance to grow spiritually.
In our home, screens are a privilege, not a right. Here’s how we approach it:
- If you haven’t spent time with God, you don’t get screen time.
- If your homework isn’t done, you don’t get screen time.
- If your chores aren’t finished, no screens.
- If your grades are slipping, screens are off-limits.
A Balanced Approach
When screen time is structured, it becomes a tool, not a distraction. A balanced approach includes:
- Ensuring homework is done.
- Encouraging spiritual growth.
- Prioritizing family time.
- Choosing positive and uplifting content.
The goal isn’t to eliminate screens but to use them wisely.
The Effects of Screen Time on Language Development
Research shows that too much screen time, like watching TV, can hurt language skills. Some key findings include:
- A child watching TV alone has an 8.47 times higher risk of language delay than those watching with parents.
- Children aged 2 to 4 who watch TV for four hours a day are at increased risk of language delays.
- Too much screen time limits chances for talking, playing, and learning. This can cause hyperactivity and inattention.
- Parents who spend too much time on screens with their kids talk 500 to 1000 words less with them.
Screen Time and Overall Development
Excessive screen time also affects thinking and motor skills. Studies show:
- Children aged 12 to 35 months who watch TV for two hours a day are four times more likely to have cognitive delays. They are also 3.7 times more likely to have motor skill delays.
- Watching entertainment content before age three can lead to attention problems by age five. This is true for both violent and non-violent content.
- Too much screen time is linked to lower self-control. But, educational content can help improve self-control.
The Brain & Prolonged Screen Time
Prolonged screen time can even change brain structure. Studies found that preschool-aged children with high screen exposure had brain changes. These changes affected their language skills and test scores.
Things to Keep in Mind About Screen Time
It’s important to remember that these studies focus on passive screen time (like watching TV) not active screen time (like learning apps). Here are a few tips to make screen time healthier:
- Alternate screen time with off-screen activities.
- Never leave young children alone with screens.
- Watch content with your child and interact with them.
- Choose high-quality shows with interactive elements, slower pacing, educational value, and positive messaging.
Pray for Wisdom in Navigating Technology
Ask God to guide your family in using technology wisely. Pray for the strength to set boundaries with love.
Example Prayer: “Lord, help us to use technology in ways that honor You. Give us wisdom to set boundaries that lead to balance and peace in our home.”
How Experts Use Screen Time With Their Own Children
Adapted from article: NPR., Kamenetz, A. (2018, February 6).
Dr. Jenny Radesky (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- No media on weekdays
- Unplug at family dinner & before bed
- Family movie night on Fridays (example of “joint media engagement”)
- Weekends: some cartoons, apps & games like Minecraft
Lauren Hale (Sleep researcher at Stony Brook University)
- No screens within an hour before bed
- No screens in the bedrooms
- No screens as part of the bedtime routine
Dr. Tom Warshawski (Pediatrician & Founder of the Childhood Obesity Foundation)
- 5-2-1-0: That means 5 servings of fruits & vegetables a day; no more than 2 hours of screens; 1 hour of physical activity; and O sugary beverages
- TV limited to an hour on weekdays after all other homework is done
- No videogames
Douglas Gentile (Professor at lowa State University)
- One hour a day in elementary school, two hours as they got older
- Always watch something in advance before allowing children to view it
Setting screen time boundaries is easier said than done. It requires patience, consistency, and grace. Technology is part of our lives but doesn’t have to control them. With intentionality and faith, we can create a home where screens are used for good—without taking over.
💬 What’s your biggest struggle with screen time rules? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
