Making a Family Screen-Time Plan That Lasts

Rules made in a moment of frustration rarely survive the week. A short written plan, agreed in a calm moment, works better than limits invented on the spot.

Start with what screens are for

List what screens do in your household: calls with relatives, homework, learning apps, films together, games, work. Some uses you will want more of, some less. A plan that only counts minutes misses the difference.

Agree on places and times

• Screen-free places, such as the meal table or bedrooms at night.
• Screen-free times, such as the hour before bed.
• Where devices charge overnight, ideally outside bedrooms.

Use official guidance as a starting point

Paediatric and public health bodies in many countries publish age-based guidance on screen use. Check the current version from your own country's health service rather than a figure remembered from years ago, then adjust to your family.

Plan the transitions

Ending screen time is often the hardest part. A warning before the end, a natural stopping point such as the end of a level, and something to move on to all help.

Review it together

Look at the plan again every few months and as children grow. Older children are more likely to follow rules they helped write. The plan works best when the adults follow it too; see grown-ups have screen time too.

Revised 2026-10-22