When the Screens Go Off: Parents Rethink Screen Time for Kids

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For Andria Copeland, and other millennial parents, smartphones and tablets have become an easy way to keep children busy while parents get a moment of silence, but experts warn that relying on screens can limit children’s ability to engage in screen-free activities.  Parents are encouraged to set boundaries and help their children find screen-free activities rather than the continuous use of devices.

With children spending more time on digital devices, parents like Copeland are trying to find the balance between ensuring technology is being used appropriately and instilling teachable moments into their children without a device.

“Now that school is approaching, I am pulling back on being lenient with her using her phone all the time.” Copeland said, describing the balance she’d had over the summer with her daughter using her smartphones.  

For Copeland, she knows that her child has had a lot of freedom using her phone this summer and she doesn’t want that expectation to roll into the new year. It is important for parents to set screen time rules.

“When she was younger, she used to have a temper tantrum when I told her it was time to put the phone down, but now that she’s older, she knows I mean business when I say it's time to turn it off,” Copeland said, describing how her daughter reacts when being instructed to turn off the phone.

Alyssa Buck playing with her reborn doll and toy telephone. Photo captured by Allison Copeland

According to a study by Pew Research Center, (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/10/08/how-parents-manage-screen-time-for-kids/) a study showed that children age 12 or younger use tablets and smartphones as daily activities.”  

   I spoke with Copeland’s daughter who is 8 years old and uses her iPhone and iPad devices all time. I spoke with her about how she would change her routine after school this upcoming year; instead of having the freedom of limitless hours on the phone and tablet; she will now only have one hour during the week.  She showed me all her toys that she could play with instead of devices, dolls, puzzles, reborn baby dolls that she affectionately cares for as her own.   

Two children reading together shows that children are interested in screen-free activities. Photo captured by Allison Copeland

  What I thought would be a challenging conversation to have with children became an encouraging moment for us all. For some parents, those of the 42% who do not manage screen time year-round, understand that it’s important to make limiting screen time a priority.  A survey conducted by Pew Research Center, (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/10/08/how-parents-manage-screen-time-for-kids/  ) showed that, “roughly 1 in 5 parents stay they stick to their screen rules all the time.”

Though it may become an additional priority to some parents’ routine with their children, screening children’s screen time will improve their mental and emotional development as they progress from adolescent to adulthood.