Introduction
If you are a parent, you may have felt relief or frustration regarding the UK government's proposal to introduce an overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds.
This policy would make apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube unavailable by default to teenagers during certain hours, although they would have the option to opt out of the curfew.
The government also plans to disable features considered addictive, such as auto-play videos and infinite scrolling, with the goal of enhancing teenagers' focus, sleep quality, and family life.
We consulted parenting experts for advice on how to encourage children to reduce their phone usage, even if only temporarily.
1. Start small and be realistic
Parents who have already provided their children with tablets or smartphones might consider removing them entirely, but child psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour suggests this may not be the most effective approach.
"Changing a habit is always going to be hard," she says. She recommends initiating changes during calm moments rather than during conflicts about screen time. "Calm brains communicate best."
A practical initial step could be designating a specific location in the home for devices, such as a particular cupboard.
"Have one place for chargers... so when the phones go away, they go on the charger and that's it."
2. Be collaborative
Older children and teenagers may respond better when involved in discussions about screen time rather than having rules imposed, according to child psychologist Dr Maryhan Baker.
Acknowledging the social pressures related to social media can help engage teens, she explains: "I understand that that's where you connect with your friends. I understand the social pressure if you're deemed not to be on this. I really get it.
"So let's have a conversation about how we can begin to create space within our day, and your day where you're not on that phone all of the time."
Parenting coach Olivia Edwards emphasizes that building a strong relationship with your child or teenager facilitates cooperation in managing screen use.
"We have to have a strong relationship with our child because that is what's going to get us towards co-operation [and] teamwork."
This may include showing genuine interest in the content your child consumes online.
3. Turn screen time into learning opportunities
Many parents find it challenging to keep up with the rapidly evolving trends on social media, but this can be an opportunity for mutual learning through open discussions about screen time.
Olivia suggests, "You might say something like: 'How do you think social media works? How do you think that app works to keep people looking at it? Did you know they make money off the more time people spend on it?'"
Dr Jane Gilmour also advocates teaching digital literacy through practical engagement.
"There might be content that you can look at together and say, 'OK, do you think that that is true? How would I figure out if that's true or not?'"
4. Model good behaviour
Children often imitate their parents, so promoting healthy screen habits may require self-reflection.
Maryhan recommends a light-hearted approach: "Even if we just do a slightly self-deprecating conversation with our kids, like: 'We're all guilty of this, I'm not as great on my relationship with [my phone] as I could be.'"
While phones and tablets provide constant entertainment, Dr Jane Gilmour suggests that both adults and children could benefit from embracing moments of boredom.
"Being on the screen, it keeps us looking at the external world. When we go into our internal world and we sort of stare into space, into the middle distance, it allows us to think about the past, it allows us to visualise the future, it predicts creativity.
"So when your kids are protesting [that] there's nothing to do, they're just staring into space - that's OK. And actually that's a positive thing."
5. Don't panic
Parenting has always been challenging, and raising children in an era dominated by screens, while research on their effects continues, can be particularly concerning.
Dr Tony Sampson, a reader in digital communication at the University of Essex, advises against succumbing to moral panic.
"There is a tendency for anxious parents to become caught up in a prevailing media panic and see all adolescent brains as simply hardwired for social media addiction," he explains.
He notes that children and teenagers possess neuroplasticity, meaning their brains are more adaptable and resilient than adults'.
"We read a lot about the ways in which social media erodes attention," he says.
"[But] social media does not shorten or erode attention. It captures it and diverts it toward engagement with commercial content.
"Positive technological use can help boost neuroplasticity for creativity, exploration and learning."
Get in touch
Are you a parent concerned about screen time? Have you taken steps to address this issue with your children?
