The Impact of Screen Time on Motivation, Health & Academics

Teens live in a world dominated by digital devices. From the mesmerizing glow of smartphones to the immersive worlds of video games and social media platforms, screens have woven themselves seamlessly into the fabric of our daily existence. What impact does this screen time have on your teen’s motivation?

In this guide, parents will learn how screen time impacts a student's motivation, health and academics, discover hidden dangers of unmonitored screen time, and gain practical strategies to set limits, balance screen time, and create connection.

‍Educators and parents: Guide your students' reflection and discussion with this student worksheet. (Log in to your Google account and select File-->Make a Copy)

Full Event Replay

‍What is the connection between screen time and motivation?

• Studies have found a connection between excessive screen time (especially entertainment-oriented screen time) and lower motivation in teens (Source)
• The average teen spends 7 hours and 22 minutes a day on screens outside of schoolwork (Source). That time may be impacting their motivation for offline activities
• One of our student interns states, “Whenever I got up, I immediately checked Instagram and spent 3 or 4 hours on it without getting anything done, so it sucked me in” (See full event video for more information)

The Research About the Impact of Social Media (Parent Video)

Social Media Dependence Leads To:

• Increased depression and anxiety
• Chips away at self-esteem
• Addictive behavior
• Getting in the way of social/family time
• Mood swings
• Withdrawal/dependence

The Hidden Risks of Excessive Unmonitored Screen Time

• Addiction - Inability to stop, increased dopamine, reward loop, instant gratification, "Gaming Disorder"
• Social/emotional - Social withdrawal, emotional distress, distorted sense of self, lack of interest in activities, depression
• Toxic communities - Cyberbullying, negative and foul language, hate speech, low self esteem
• Behavior changes - Aggression, anxiety, mood swings, lack of sleep, anger or risky behaviors
• Safety, security, & financial - Predators, personal information breach, spending a lot of money, credit card misuse, gambling
• Long term harm - Depression, addictive behavior, academics, loss of relationships, and missing skill development

Types of Different Cyberbullying Messages

• Insults/name calling
• Threats
• Harassment
• Public shaming
• Manipulation
• Identity theft

7 Things Predators Say to Kids Online

1. "Let's turn on Vanishing Mode" - so content will disappear and parents will not be able to find a record of the conversation
2. "Set up another Instagram account and chat with me there" - parents will be unaware of the account and won't have the password to monitor
3. "You're so pretty, I understand you, your parents don't get you" - predators want to build trust with the child, grooming them for the future
4. "Your parents wouldn't understand, don't tell them we talked" - isolating the child and encouraging the child to keep the relationship a secret
5. "How old are you? Where are you? What school do you go to?" - predators will collect personal information from a child to be used as blackmail in the future or for kidnapping
6. "Here's some money/game points/a photo of me, now send me one of you" - pushing to get an inapprpriate or nude photo from a child to use as blackmail in the future
7. "Send money or I will send this photo to all of your friends and family" - harassing, blackmailing and threatening a child, causing extreme stress and humiliation equals sextortion

‍What is emotional buffering? 

• Emotional buffering is when we choose to do something in order to avoid negative feelings like stress or anger and one of the most common ways teens buffer is by reaching for their phone and getting on their favorite app
• Buffering can allow students to “pause” their emotions just as they would if they watched an intense movie, felt overwhelmed, and then hit the pause button
• Buffering isn’t always bad, because sometimes our brain needs a break, but too much emotional buffering can prevent us from doing the more important things in our life

What can parents do to monitor screen time?

• Set Parental Controls: Limit screen time, filter content, and manage chat features with built-in settings on consoles and games
• Adjust Privacy Settings: Make sure usernames are anonymous, profiles are private, and only approved friends can communicate with your child
• Screen Time Limits: Set clear rules for when, where, and how long gaming is allowed - and stick to these rules consistently
• Age-Appropriate: Check game ratings (like ESRB) and read reviews to make sure games match your child's maturity level and values
• Talk Online Safety: Have an open and ongoing conversation. Teach your child not to share personal info and to block/report anyone who makes them feel uncomfortable
• Watch & Play: Join them often to see what they're playing/watching, how the game works and who they're interacting with online. Connect with them via their interests

Dialogue Starters

• "What do you enjoy most about the show/app/video game your are watching?"
• "How do you feel after you've been in front of a screen for a long time - more energized or more tired? Why do you think that is?"
• "If we set a goal this week for better screen time balance (like more outdoor time, family time, better sleep), what could we try together?"
• "Would it be helpful to set a time when it's time to turn off screens so I don't have to nag you?"
• "When you're on your phone a lot, do you ever feel like you miss out on other things you enjoy?"
• "Who do you usually chat with online? Are they people you know if real life?"
• "Is there anything about being on social media/video games that ever makes you feel uncomfortable or stressed?"

How to Balance Screen Time to Improve Motivation

• Screen time management apps can be used to help teens regulate their own screen time
• Emma Lembke, from the Log Off movement, recommends teens take a “5-minute power scroll” every month to evaluate who they follow and how it makes them feel (watch the full event replay for details)
• Use the screen time control features within each app to help keep screen time balanced
• Create a Family Media Agreement WITH your students to help establish clear expectations surrounding technology and screen time

Replace Negative Screen Time With Positive Screen Time

• Teens can prevent screen time from impacting their motivation by using it more actively, such as learning a new skill such as programming, graphic design, cooking, 3D printing, etc.
• One of our student interns recommends, “tailoring your following page so it is full of inspiring things and things that make you happy” (Watch the full event replay for details)
• Consume information that inspires you by listening to positive podcasts, watching YouTube videos that open your mind to something new, and following uplifting social media accounts

More resources for parents, students, & educators 

• Making Screen Time Fun While Reducing the Negative Impact
• ‍Balancing Video Game Screen Time for Teens‍
• 50+ Tips to Limit Screen Time Without Conflict‍
• Using YouTube to Explore Colleges and Careers

Conclusion

Many parents and educators are concerned about screen time's impact on a student’s motivation. We share that concern. Excessive screen time can impact a student’s motivation and cause many negative consequences. However, there are many positive uses for screen time if students choose to cultivate a healthy relationship with screens and use it to support their personal growth.