Summer Guidelines for Screentime

My kids have had phones for years since we shut off our house phone and always wanted them to be able to make a phone call in case of emergency and then it became useful when they walked to school alone.  For years they barely touched their phones.

But this past year they seem to be much more attached.  We have made sure that there are no phones at mealtime and phones are put away when friends are over.  But beyond that we have had few rules because they are pretty busy during the school year and their use does not seem excessive.  Except maybe a little on their one day off from school and dance.

I realized that summer may become a bit more involved in their technology.  I am not a big fan of setting limits but would rather give them some guidelines and let them manage themselves. I feel like guidelines will help them to build healthy habits that they can use for a lifetime.

I found an app called Unglue to help them see how much time they are spending and I wrote up some guidelines to help them use technology in a positive way.

TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR THE SUMMER

85% of your awake day spent on things that help you grow.... being out in nature, creating, doing something physical, taking care of yourself and others, engaging with others, learning, just being.  This would be 10 hours per day.  Divide your time evenly between technology and non-technology during the day, 5 hours each.

Technology

• drawing apps
• making a video
• coding
• writing
• take an online fitness class
• Facetime with a friend
• texting a friend
• emailing a friend
• talk to a friend on the phone
• exploring on a topic that interests you (videos, articles, groups),
• brain games
• listen to music

Non-technology

• being outside
• going to the beach club
• art on paper
• using a  journal activity books
• singing
• acting
• dancing
• crafts
• building projects
• walking or hiking
• swimming
• doing your nails
• cooking
• organizing your room
• getting together with friends
• watching a family movie or tv show
• writing to your penpal
• reading a book
• taking a class
• playing a game
• doing a puzzle

15% of your day on other tasks on things that do not provide any growth value.  This would be 2 hours per day.

• social media
• most games
• most YouTube videos
• TV shows alone in your room

Before you pick up any technology you will …

• Make your bed
• Get dressed (unless it is an agreed pajama day)
• Brush hair and teeth
• Eat breakfast and clean up
• Straighten your room
• Take care of any laundry

Before you pick up your phone, ask, what else could I be doing?!