The Daily Telegraph

HOW TO HAVE A SCREEN-LITE SUMMER

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Keep your ultimate goal in mind – that they learn to moderate screen use themselves. You’re trying to motivate them to change their behaviour, rather than force them.

Establish boundaries that naturally restrict screen use, eg no screens at meals, or in bedrooms. Reduce the screens available, so they don’t bounce from one to the other. Remove the PS4 from sight until it’s needed.

Download the free Moment app on to their phone – and yours – so everyone becomes aware of how long they spend online. Address your tech habit, too. They’ll be reluctant if you’re a hypocrite.

Negotiate how much time per day you’re happy for them to spend online, then break it into chunks – perhaps two one-hour slots. Give them the chance to earn 15 minutes extra if they obey the rules.

Permit five-minute phone “check-ins” every half-hour so they don’t become anxious – these intervals can be slowly expanded.

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