As the school year wraps up and children settle into summer break, many parents face a new challenge: how to manage screen time when routines go out the window. Boys Town behavioral health experts are sharing tips to help families create healthy digital boundaries that support emotional wellness and promote a balanced summer.
“Technology can be a fantastic tool for education and entertainment, but without clear boundaries, it often becomes a substitute for meaningful social interaction, physical activity, and rest,” said Christopher Blank, Post-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Fellow at the Boys Town Behavioral Health Clinic. “Summer is an ideal time to reset tech habits and help kids build a healthier relationship with screens.”
Here are some key recommendations from Boys Town:
- Get Educated:
- Keep It Age-Appropriate:
- Set Clear Boundaries:
- Encourage Non-Screen Activities:
- Model Healthy Behavior:
“Research shows that too much screen time can disrupt sleep, emotional regulation, and social development,” added Blank. “With a little structure and a focus on offline experiences, summer can become a season of real growth—not just digital scrolling.”
Executive Director of Boys Town Louisiana, Rashain Carriere-Williams, shares more on how to manage your child's screen time during the summer. Watch her interview on 4WWL.
