The Children's House

Read below for some tips for parents, assembled by our Mental Health Consultant, Trisha Short, MA, LPC, IMH-E (II), on how we can protect our children from the hidden risks of overuse and ensure they develop a balanced, safe relationship with technology.

Tips for Parents

1. Set Age-Appropriate Limits (AAP & WHO Recommendations)

• Under 2 years: Avoid screen time, except for video chatting.
• Ages 2–5: Limit to 1 hour per day of high-quality content, co-viewed with a caregiver.
• Ages 6 and up: Set consistent limits that ensure screen time does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or face-to-face interactions. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), World Health Organization (WHO)

2. Create a Family Media Plan

• Develop a customized plan with your child that outlines when, where, and how screens can be used (e.g., no phones at dinner or during homework).
• Involve kids in the process to foster cooperation and responsibility. Source: AAP’s Family Media Plan Tool (HealthyChildren.org)

3. Prioritize Face-to-Face Interaction

• Human interaction, especially with caregivers, is critical for language development, emotional regulation, and social learning.
• Make screen-free time a priority for play, meals, and bedtime routines. Source: Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child

4. Model Healthy Screen Use

• Children are more likely to follow screen rules when parents also practice mindful phone use.
• Be conscious of “technoference”—when parent phone use interferes with bonding or responsiveness. Source: Journal of Child Development (2017): Parental distraction impacts child behavior and emotional development.

5. Establish Device-Free Zones

• Make bedrooms, dining areas, and family spaces screen-free zones to encourage better sleep and deeper connection.
• Using a charging station outside the bedroom reduces nighttime temptation for both kids and parents. Source: Sleep Foundation & AAP studies on tech and sleep

6. Co-View and Talk About Content

• Watch or use apps with your child whenever possible. Ask questions and encourage discussion.
• Co-viewing turns passive screen time into active learning and helps you gauge what your child is consuming. Source: Common Sense Media research

7. Use Tech to Manage Tech

• Use built-in parental controls and screen time trackers (like Apple's Screen Time or Google Family Link) to monitor and limit usage.
• Set app limits and downtime schedules to help enforce boundaries. Source: Pew Research Center & Child Mind Institute

8. Encourage Screen-Free Alternatives

• Promote physical play, reading, hobbies, and creative activities to naturally reduce screen dependence.
• Boredom can be a good thing—it fosters creativity and resilience. Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Pediatrics)

9. Discuss Digital Citizenship & Online Safety

• Talk regularly about privacy, respectful behavior online, and the permanence of digital footprints.
• Teaching digital literacy is just as important as limiting time. Source: Common Sense Education & Psychology Today

10. Be Flexible, Not Fearful

• Not all screen time is harmful—quality, context, and balance matter most.
• Strive for “tech-intentional” rather than “tech-fearful.” Use screens to support your child’s growth, not substitute for it. Source: Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital