Screen Time Guidelines: How to Develop Healthy Habits
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Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.
Director of College Advising
Educator Webinar Attendee
This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.
Irene C.
Educator Webinar Attendee
This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!
Sharon M.
Parent Webinar Attendee
Parents and Teachers: This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Green Zone.
We believe this app is a STARTING POINT for your student, but that you must monitor your student on every app they are on. Join our weekly newsletter to learn about the 100+ App Reviews at SmartSocial.com
Parents and Teachers: Please note this app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Gray Zone.
Parents should participate in these apps with students to keep them safe.
Join our weekly newsletter to learn about the 100+ App Reviews at SmartSocial.com
Parents and Teachers: This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Red Zone. We believe this app is not safe for students to use without adult supervision. Join our weekly newsletter to learn about the 100+ App Reviews at SmartSocial.com
Parents and Teachers: This app is listed as a Dangerous Social Media Challenge. Knowing about social media challenges before your teen does can help you keep them safe before an incident occurs. Join our weekly newsletter to learn about the 100+ App Reviews at SmartSocial.com
Table of Contents
Too much screen time can have a negative impact on teens and tweens. According to a study from State Farm Insurance, 4 hours of daily screen time is linked to a full grade level drop in average GPA. Blue light emitted from electronic screens causes sleep deprivation (which makes us all feel sleepy the next day).
Types of screen time activities
- Watching T.V.
- Browsing on a computer
- Using smartphones and tablets
- Playing video games
Activities which might strengthen your skills (and help you focus)
- Reading a real book
- Playing sports
- Setting goals/tasks in a journal at the beginning of the day
- Putting your phone down for at least an hour
- Journaling
Why do colleges care?
Colleges want to ensure that students are productive with their time. Having negative screen time habits can reflect poorly on your productivity if a college reviews your digital footprint.
Negative screen time activities
- Complaining/venting online
- Posting content with the intention of deleting it later
- Taking screenshots and sharing private content from others
- Posting questionable photos
- Creating fake accounts of other people
What could go wrong?
According to an interview in TIME with a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, “today’s super-connected teens may be less happy and less prepared for adulthood than past generations”.
The professor shows that, after 2010, teens who spent more time online were more likely to report mental health issues than those who spent time on non-screen activities.
How to develop positive screen time habits
- Remind yourself that having a cell phone, tablet, or computer is something to use in moderation
- Find offline activities that you would be proud to share on your college resume. Spending time on those activities will give you positive content you can post online
- Prioritize positive offline hobbies, school, social activities, sports, and family time above screen time
- Get in the habit of following your screen time guidelines and self-regulating your screen time
- Find activities you can do digitally while still being productive, like:
- ~~Learning how to program
- ~~Building an online resume
- ~~Monitoring your digital footprint
- Have an open and ongoing discussion with your parents about screen time and new apps you’re using
- If you experience anything uncomfortable during screen time, tell a trusted adult right away
- Find an offline hobby that colleges will find interesting, such as:
- ~~Building model airplanes
- ~~Playing music
- ~~Volunteering
Too much screen time can have a negative impact on teens and tweens. According to a study from State Farm Insurance, 4 hours of daily screen time is linked to a full grade level drop in average GPA. Blue light emitted from electronic screens causes sleep deprivation (which makes us all feel sleepy the next day).
Types of screen time activities
- Watching T.V.
- Browsing on a computer
- Using smartphones and tablets
- Playing video games
Activities which might strengthen your skills (and help you focus)
- Reading a real book
- Playing sports
- Setting goals/tasks in a journal at the beginning of the day
- Putting your phone down for at least an hour
- Journaling
Why do colleges care?
Colleges want to ensure that students are productive with their time. Having negative screen time habits can reflect poorly on your productivity if a college reviews your digital footprint.
Negative screen time activities
- Complaining/venting online
- Posting content with the intention of deleting it later
- Taking screenshots and sharing private content from others
- Posting questionable photos
- Creating fake accounts of other people
What could go wrong?
According to an interview in TIME with a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, “today’s super-connected teens may be less happy and less prepared for adulthood than past generations”.
The professor shows that, after 2010, teens who spent more time online were more likely to report mental health issues than those who spent time on non-screen activities.
How to develop positive screen time habits
- Remind yourself that having a cell phone, tablet, or computer is something to use in moderation
- Find offline activities that you would be proud to share on your college resume. Spending time on those activities will give you positive content you can post online
- Prioritize positive offline hobbies, school, social activities, sports, and family time above screen time
- Get in the habit of following your screen time guidelines and self-regulating your screen time
- Find activities you can do digitally while still being productive, like:
- ~~Learning how to program
- ~~Building an online resume
- ~~Monitoring your digital footprint
- Have an open and ongoing discussion with your parents about screen time and new apps you’re using
- If you experience anything uncomfortable during screen time, tell a trusted adult right away
- Find an offline hobby that colleges will find interesting, such as:
- ~~Building model airplanes
- ~~Playing music
- ~~Volunteering
Too much screen time can have a negative impact on teens and tweens. According to a study from State Farm Insurance, 4 hours of daily screen time is linked to a full grade level drop in average GPA. Blue light emitted from electronic screens causes sleep deprivation (which makes us all feel sleepy the next day).
Types of screen time activities
- Watching T.V.
- Browsing on a computer
- Using smartphones and tablets
- Playing video games
Activities which might strengthen your skills (and help you focus)
- Reading a real book
- Playing sports
- Setting goals/tasks in a journal at the beginning of the day
- Putting your phone down for at least an hour
- Journaling
Why do colleges care?
Colleges want to ensure that students are productive with their time. Having negative screen time habits can reflect poorly on your productivity if a college reviews your digital footprint.
Negative screen time activities
- Complaining/venting online
- Posting content with the intention of deleting it later
- Taking screenshots and sharing private content from others
- Posting questionable photos
- Creating fake accounts of other people
What could go wrong?
According to an interview in TIME with a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, “today’s super-connected teens may be less happy and less prepared for adulthood than past generations”.
The professor shows that, after 2010, teens who spent more time online were more likely to report mental health issues than those who spent time on non-screen activities.
How to develop positive screen time habits
- Remind yourself that having a cell phone, tablet, or computer is something to use in moderation
- Find offline activities that you would be proud to share on your college resume. Spending time on those activities will give you positive content you can post online
- Prioritize positive offline hobbies, school, social activities, sports, and family time above screen time
- Get in the habit of following your screen time guidelines and self-regulating your screen time
- Find activities you can do digitally while still being productive, like:
- ~~Learning how to program
- ~~Building an online resume
- ~~Monitoring your digital footprint
- Have an open and ongoing discussion with your parents about screen time and new apps you’re using
- If you experience anything uncomfortable during screen time, tell a trusted adult right away
- Find an offline hobby that colleges will find interesting, such as:
- ~~Building model airplanes
- ~~Playing music
- ~~Volunteering
Too much screen time can have a negative impact on teens and tweens. According to a study from State Farm Insurance, 4 hours of daily screen time is linked to a full grade level drop in average GPA. Blue light emitted from electronic screens causes sleep deprivation (which makes us all feel sleepy the next day).
Types of screen time activities
- Watching T.V.
- Browsing on a computer
- Using smartphones and tablets
- Playing video games
Activities which might strengthen your skills (and help you focus)
- Reading a real book
- Playing sports
- Setting goals/tasks in a journal at the beginning of the day
- Putting your phone down for at least an hour
- Journaling
Why do colleges care?
Colleges want to ensure that students are productive with their time. Having negative screen time habits can reflect poorly on your productivity if a college reviews your digital footprint.
Negative screen time activities
- Complaining/venting online
- Posting content with the intention of deleting it later
- Taking screenshots and sharing private content from others
- Posting questionable photos
- Creating fake accounts of other people
What could go wrong?
According to an interview in TIME with a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, “today’s super-connected teens may be less happy and less prepared for adulthood than past generations”.
The professor shows that, after 2010, teens who spent more time online were more likely to report mental health issues than those who spent time on non-screen activities.
How to develop positive screen time habits
- Remind yourself that having a cell phone, tablet, or computer is something to use in moderation
- Find offline activities that you would be proud to share on your college resume. Spending time on those activities will give you positive content you can post online
- Prioritize positive offline hobbies, school, social activities, sports, and family time above screen time
- Get in the habit of following your screen time guidelines and self-regulating your screen time
- Find activities you can do digitally while still being productive, like:
- ~~Learning how to program
- ~~Building an online resume
- ~~Monitoring your digital footprint
- Have an open and ongoing discussion with your parents about screen time and new apps you’re using
- If you experience anything uncomfortable during screen time, tell a trusted adult right away
- Find an offline hobby that colleges will find interesting, such as:
- ~~Building model airplanes
- ~~Playing music
- ~~Volunteering
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