As summer approaches, many parents find themselves facing a familiar and growing concern: how to keep kids engaged, creative, and socially connected while minimizing screen time. With the school year behind us and long days ahead, screens can easily become the default activity for children and teens. As a parent, you may feel conflicted. On one hand, screens provide convenience and entertainment; on the other, you long to see your kids outside, exploring, getting messy, connecting with friends face-to-face, and even getting comfortable with boredom. These aren't just sentimental wishes—they're supported by neuroscience and developmental psychology.
Experts like Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, authors of The Whole-Brain Child and The Power of Showing Up, emphasize the critical role of offline experiences in building essential life skills such as emotional regulation, resilience, creativity, and empathy. Increasingly, research is confirming what many parents intuitively feel: excessive screen time, particularly unstructured use and social media engagement, is affecting our children’s mental health, brain development, and relationships.
The Impact of Screen Time on Kids
Dr. Siegel highlights how the brain develops through experience, particularly in childhood. Face-to-face interactions, physical play, and moments of boredom all stimulate parts of the brain that help children grow into emotionally intelligent and socially competent adults. Too much screen time, especially time spent passively consuming content or engaging in social media, limits these opportunities.
Recent studies show that increased screen time correlates with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and attention issues in children and teens. A 2022 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescents who spent more than three hours a day on screens were more likely to experience internalizing symptoms such as sadness and hopelessness. In contrast, unstructured play, outdoor time, and real-life social interactions help regulate mood, promote problem-solving, and strengthen relationships.
The Value of Boredom and Nature
In their book The Power of Showing Up, Siegel and Bryson remind us that boredom isn't something to be avoided—it's a powerful space where creativity is born. When we allow our children to sit in quiet moments without digital stimulation, we invite them to discover their own ideas, interests, and passions. These are opportunities for self-reflection and intrinsic motivation to flourish.
Nature also plays a powerful role in child development. Outdoor play supports motor skill development, reduces stress, improves attention, and fosters a deeper sense of connection to the world. A 2019 study in Nature found that children who spend more time in green spaces have better cognitive development and emotional well-being.
Practical Tips for a Balanced, Screen-Light Summer
Creating a summer that minimizes screen time while avoiding daily conflict requires intentionality, flexibility, and compassion—for your child and yourself. Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Set Clear and Collaborative Screen Time Boundaries
Rather than unilaterally declaring screen bans, involve your children in setting healthy boundaries. Collaboratively create a daily or weekly schedule that includes designated screen time and plenty of offline activities. This helps reduce resistance and gives your child a sense of agency.
Use the "when-then" technique: "When you've spent an hour playing outside, then you can have 30 minutes of screen time."
2. Prioritize Connection Over Control
Dr. Bryson emphasizes the importance of connection before correction. Instead of leading with frustration about screens, start with empathy: "I know it’s fun to be on your tablet. I also know that too much of it isn’t great for your mind or body. Let's figure out some ways to keep your days balanced."
3. Build a Daily Rhythm
Children thrive with structure, even in summer. Create a rhythm for the day that includes outdoor play, creative time (like crafts or writing), social interaction, rest, and screens as a small part of the whole. You can post a visual schedule in a common space or co-create it together weekly.
4. Offer Alternatives
Make offline options enticing. Stock up on sidewalk chalk, bubbles, sports equipment, books, puzzles, art supplies, and open-ended toys like building blocks. Create an "I'm bored" jar filled with ideas for solo or sibling activities.
5. Facilitate Face-to-Face Friend Time
Support opportunities for your kids to meet with friends in person, whether it’s park playdates, neighborhood games, or summer camps. Social connection is a protective factor against mental health struggles and strengthens empathy and communication skills.
6. Model Healthy Tech Use
Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Be mindful of your own screen habits. Make family mealtimes and outings screen-free zones. Let your children see you reading, creating, resting, or problem-solving offline.
7. Embrace Boredom
When your child complains about being bored, resist the urge to fill the space immediately. Acknowledge the discomfort, but trust that it is also a gateway to self-discovery and creative thought.
"Boredom is the space in which the seeds of creativity grow." —Dr. Dan Siegel
A Summer That Builds Resilience
By taking a proactive, compassionate approach to screen time, you’re not just avoiding battles—you’re building resilience. You’re helping your children develop internal resources, nurture relationships, and find joy in the real world.
This summer, let your children get dirty, explore trails, build forts, and feel the thrill of unscripted adventure. Let them rest and reflect, create and connect. By doing so, you’re giving them something no app or screen ever could: a rich and rooted sense of self.
Resources:
- Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2011). The Whole-Brain Child. New York: Delacorte Press.
- Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2020). The Power of Showing Up. New York: Ballantine Books.
- Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today's super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy--and completely unprepared for adulthood. Atria Books.
- Smith, J., & Lee, A. (2022). Association of screen time and mental health in adolescents. JAMA Pediatrics, 176(4), 340–347. https://doi.org/10.xxxx
- Nature. (2019). The impact of green spaces on child development. https://doi.org/xxxxx
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Disclaimer:
The content contained in this post is for informational/educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your qualified mental healthcare provider in your area with any personal questions you may have.
Aspen Psychology Group is accepting clients at this time, Alberta residents can book an appointment here. Also, PsychologyToday.com is a great resource for finding a mental health professional in your area