James Donaldson on Mental Health - Screen Time and Summer

Mental health vulnerabilities One more thing that I emphasize to parents is that if your child has mental health vulnerabilities, the risk factors above are even more deserving of careful consideration.

Children and teens with ADHD or behavioral challenges may be less able to avoid impulsive behavior or to set appropriate limits for themselves with screens.

Kids who are prone to anxiety may be more likely to seek out content that feeds rather than soothes their worries.

And teens who are vulnerable to depression or already experiencing concerns about body image can find that their symptoms worsen when screens cannibalize the time they would have spent on more mood-boosting activities or leave them comparing themselves to unrealistic online body ideals.

So any practical plan we create for the summer involves some monitoring of time, some monitoring of content, some monitoring of behavior online, and some monitoring of where and when kids are on those screens.

To build out that plan a bit more, parents can consider a few basic notes on wellness practices and reflect on their own values in seeking family balance this summer.

Promoting wellness When creating a plan for tech use, we want to make sure that screen time is not encroaching on basic things kids need to be healthy.

Protect sleep The digital age doesn’t make it easier for anyone — kids or adults — to get the sleep they need.

Yes, it’s okay to be a little more relaxed about bedtime during the summer.

Yes, kids might sleep in a little bit more than they would if they were going to school.