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  • Creating a balanced digital diet with screen time tips

Balancing Screen time

Creating a balanced digital diet with screen time tips

Find simple tips to help children develop healthy online habits and a good digital diet to help them thrive on and offline.

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Find simple tips to help children develop healthy online habits and a good digital diet to help them thrive on and offline.

Advice to help children adopt a healthy digital diet

Equip toddlers, tweens, and teens with the know-how to thrive online and get the best out of their screen use with these top tips.

1 - Lead by example

Just like anything, children copy their parents’ actions and behaviour. If you set boundaries for your own screen, it will be easier for your kids to do the same.

2 - Set boundaries WITH your kids

Get them involved in the process of setting age appropriate limits on how long they can spend online, at what times and on which platforms. Set up screen-free times or rooms where screens are out of sight and therefore more likely to be out of mind. Review these as they get older and give them the space to take greater responsibility for their screen use.

3 - Ensure a healthy mix of screen activity

Make sure they have a good balance of screen activities that encourage creativity, learning & education, connecting with family & friends, as well as using devices for passively engaging with content.

4 - Avoid using screen time as a reward

This will elevate the status of screen time above other activities and like using food as a reward may encourage children to simply want more.

5 - Physical activity & sleep are really important

Make sure screens are not displacing these things by keeping screens out of bedrooms at bed time and that you are creating opportunities for your children to be active each day.

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More to explore

See related advice and practical tips to support children online:

  • Advice for 0-5 years
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  • Support wellbeing with tech

On site links

  • Digital Resilience Toolkit
  • Online safety issues
  • Screen time advice hub
  • Pressure to be Perfect toolkit For Parents – Balancing Their Time

Related Web Links

UK CMO commentary on screen time and social media map of reviews

RCPCH – The health impacts of screen time – a guide for clinicians and parents

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