Establish healthy screen rules for the New Year

Assess the current situation before acting

Before imposing new rules, take the time to honestly assess the actual use of screens in your family. For a week, observe and note the time each member spends in front of a screen, at what time of day, and for what activities. This awareness often reveals habits whose extent one did not always suspect.

Questions to ask yourself:

• How many hours a day does each child spend in front of a screen?
• Do screens interfere with sleep, homework, or physical activities?
• Are there times when the whole family is absorbed by their devices without interaction?
• Do parents model the behaviors they want to see in their children?
• What activities have been replaced by screen time?

This honest assessment forms the basis on which you will build your new family rules.

Create screen-free zones and times

One of the most effective strategies is to establish spaces and times where screens are systematically prohibited for everyone, including parents. This approach creates valuable family connection moments!

Recommended screen-free zones:

• The dining table (all meals are taken without a phone)
• Bedrooms (especially one hour before bedtime)
• The car (at least for trips under 30 minutes)
• The bathroom

Essential screen-free moments:

• The first and last 30 minutes of the day
• During homework and creative activities
• During face-to-face conversations
• Family Sunday mornings
• One complete evening per week designated "screen-free"

These rules apply to all family members, without exception! Children indeed accept restrictions much better when they see that their parents also respect them.

Establish clear time limits according to age

The needs and limits to be respected regarding screens vary considerably depending on the age of the children. Therefore, adapt your rules accordingly while remaining consistent in their application.

Recommendations by age group:

0-2 years: No screens except video conferences with distant family

2-5 years: Maximum 1 hour per day of quality educational content, always accompanied by an adult

6-12 years: 2 hours maximum per day, including television, tablet, and video games

Prioritize content quality

Not all screen time is equal. Watching an educational documentary as a family differs radically from passively watching random YouTube videos. So take the time to establish quality criteria for the content viewed.

Criteria for acceptable content:

• Adapted to the child's age and development
• Educational or creative rather than purely passive
• Promoting interaction or reflection
• Free from gratuitous violence or inappropriate messages
• Ideally viewed as a family to allow for discussions

Together, create a list of approved apps, shows, and games for each child. This approach will avoid endless negotiations each time a screen is requested.

Implement a concrete management system

Your good intentions will not be enough if a concrete system is not put in place to apply them. So make sure you choose a screen time management method that works for your family.

Effective management options:

• Daily screen tickets or tokens that the child can spend when they want
• Parental control apps with automatic limits
• Visible timer that the child sets himself before starting
• Tracking board where the child notes their usage
• "Earned screen time" rule after completing tasks and responsibilities

The chosen system must be simple to understand, easy to apply, and flexible enough to adapt to exceptional circumstances. 

Propose attractive alternatives

Children often turn to screens out of boredom or lack of interesting alternatives. Your responsibility therefore extends not only to restricting but also to offering stimulating alternatives.

Screen alternatives to make easily accessible:

• Various craft materials
• Board games at hand
• Sports equipment that allows for indoor movement
• Attractive books, ideally regularly renewed
• Musical instruments 
• Space to build (with blocks or Legos, for example)

The more accessible and attractive these different options are, the less screens exert their default attraction power.

Involve children in setting the rules

Unilaterally imposed rules generally generate more resistance. Instead, organize a family council where everyone can express themselves on current screen use and propose rules they deem fair.

Topics to discuss as a family:

• Why do we limit screen time?
• What rules seem fair to you?
• What are the consequences of not respecting the rules?
• How can we support each other?

This collaborative approach transforms screen rules dictated by parents into a shared family commitment, significantly increasing the chances of success.

Review and adjust regularly

Needs change with the age of children and the evolution of technology. Therefore, schedule a quarterly review of your screen rules to ensure they remain relevant and realistic.

By establishing clear, consistent, and fair screen rules from the beginning of the year, you create a healthy framework that will allow your family to enjoy the benefits of technology without suffering its drawbacks. The goal is not the complete elimination of screens, but rather their conscious and balanced use that leaves room for physical, creative, social, and family activities essential for the harmonious development of your children.

To further your reflection, consult our special dossier!