In today's digital world, managing screen time for teens has become a pressing challenge for both parents and educators. With access to smartphones, tablets, and laptops at their fingertips, teens are spending more time than ever in front of screens. This article will explore how adults can model healthy and balanced screen use, highlight the negative impacts of too much screen time, and share practical strategies to help teens build positive digital habits. You'll also learn how screens can support learning when used mindfully and how to recognize signs of screen overuse in yourself and in your children.
As any parent knows, getting kids to stick to limits when it comes to screen time can be a challenge. With so many enticing options, from gaming and social media to chatting with friends and watching funny videos online, it’s not surprising that getting kids to take care of more boring, offline responsibilities such as schoolwork and chores is so difficult.
A recent Pew Research Center study found that nearly four in ten teens (38%) say they spend too much time on their smartphones, and about the same share (36%) have tried to cut back on their use. But this concern goes both ways. It's not just kids who struggle with screen time—many adults do, too. Teens also report that parents are frequently distracted by their phones, especially during important conversations, which can lead to feelings of disconnection or frustration.
While there are fewer up-to-date stats on adult screen habits, previous surveys show that many parents recognize their own overuse of devices. With smartphones woven into work, parenting, and leisure, it's easy to understand how boundaries can blur. According to a recent report, 46% of U.S. teens say they are online “almost constantly”, underscoring how digital habits—both modeled and mirrored at home—are shaping a generation’s relationship with technology.
These patterns highlight the importance of setting family-wide digital boundaries and fostering open conversations about screen use—starting with adults.
Educators are also having to deal with the challenge of screens in the classroom. If you are a teacher, you probably use technology in your classroom, and you know its potential for increasing student engagement—and distraction. Devices can distract students from the task at hand, and they can make it more difficult for educators to stay focused if they are needing to field messages or emails from staff, parents, or their own families. All this is to say, tech can be overwhelming.
While excessive screen use is associated with a number of negative outcomes, including depression, the good news is that our own experiences with setting screen time limits can help us understand how hard this can be for kids and teens. This understanding can then help us see kids’ resistance to limits as more than simple opposition or defiance. Fortunately, you can set a good example for kids by limiting your use and modeling beneficial uses in the classroom.
While advances in technology and communication have made it easier to stay connected, they can also create the pressure to be constantly available and responsive—around the clock. This can create anxiety if, when you try to disengage after work hours or over the weekend, your coworkers continue to send and respond to emails and texts. Educators in particular face pressure to respond to parents’ emails or texts and may receive complaints if they don’t respond quickly. Many people, teens included, have an expectation for an immediate response and can take it personally when people delay responding.
Many schools have given up the fight over screens, and may even require students to use personal devices or other tech during class. One downside to this increased screen use is that cheating becomes easier and may be more tempting for students. Other students may have difficulty limiting personal use and may text friends or parents during class or post on social media—all of which can be distracting and make teachers’ jobs more difficult and frustrating.
Talking with students about their experiences with screen time and the pros and cons of using social media can get them thinking about their use. Feel free to share your own experiences with screens during these discussions. Knowing that adults also struggle with keeping phones from taking over their lives can help kids and teens feel understood and may inspire them to take steps to limit their own screen time.
When it comes to tech addiction (and any addiction) there are four main signs to look for to tell if use is becoming a problem:
For cell phones, specific warning signs include:
One thing to remember is that phones and apps are designed to be addictive. The more often you check your phone, watch videos, or click on ads or links, the more money someone else is making.
While too much screen time can cause problems, screens are also good learning tools. Remind101 is an app recommended by the National Education Association (NEA). It allows students to sign up for text reminders of when assignments are due. Parents can sign up, too. For other suggested apps and uses of screens in the classroom, check out this list.
Some students (and adults) work better when listening to music. As long as a student’s music is not disruptive to the class, allowing this can be helpful and is worth a try. Some teachers ask students to use only one earbud so they can still hear instructions.
Having students use their phones in class to check out or share information as part of an assignment or discussion can be an opportunity for hands-on learning, which appeals to many students.
Even though screens can enhance learning and communication, practicing no-screen times can help kids and adults maintain a healthy balance. Research shows that excessive use of smartphones—especially beginning in late elementary and early middle school—is strongly associated with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. One of the best ways to encourage kids to put away their screens is to let them see you put your own screens away.
Setting aside your phone or tablet during dinner or family time is a good example of this. Putting everyone’s phone, including yours, in a basket or in another room during no-screen times reminds kids and adults that family interaction is important. These boundaries send a clear signal that tech should serve relationships, not replace them.
Setting your devices to silent or do not disturb mode so that you don’t receive every notification can be another way to break your dependence on tech. You can still program in exceptions so that you’ll always get notifications from elderly relatives or your kids, for example. These features can be especially useful overnight. Sleep disruption from nighttime screen use is a growing concern, with links to emotional instability, poor academic performance, and mental health issues in both teens and adults. Managing alerts and removing screens from bedrooms can help preserve rest and emotional well-being.
Consider doing a 24-hour screen detox. Turning off your devices for a full day can give you an idea of how attached you are to them. You might also challenge your children or students to do a detox. The important thing is to participate in the assignment along with kids so you can get a feel for what it is like. According to current findings, early and prolonged exposure to smartphones reduces opportunities for in-person interaction, which is critical for healthy emotional and social development. Detoxes and screen-free challenges help reset this balance, offering kids a chance to rediscover boredom, creativity, and genuine connection.
In the classroom, you can ask students to put their phones face down on their desks during specific times. Or you might have students put their phones on a separate table to make them less tempting to use. Evidence suggests that even modest reductions in phone access during school hours improve focus, reduce anxiety, and promote a healthier classroom culture. Creating intentional phone-free periods helps students re-engage with learning and each other more deeply.
Managing screen time for teens is a challenge for modern families, but it starts with the example set by adults. By acknowledging your own habits, having open conversations, and creating consistent boundaries, you can help teens build a healthier relationship with technology. While too much screen time can lead to distractions and even addiction, screens also offer opportunities for learning and creativity when used wisely. Balance, mindfulness, and communication are key. With these strategies, both you and your teens can enjoy the benefits of technology without letting it take over your lives.