Screen time without a fight: what actually works at home

Screen-time advice can leave you comparing numbers instead of deciding what will work in your house. For us, a routine everyone knows is more useful than a limit we renegotiate every afternoon.

A 90-minute cap that starts a daily argument can be harder to maintain than a 2-hour cap the family understands. The agreement matters as well as the number.

The four windows we use

We focus on when screens are on and when they’re off, rather than counting every minute.

• No screens at the table. Phones go face down or in a drawer. Adults follow this rule too.
• No screens in the hour before bed. In our house, books and showers happen between 8 and 9.
• Homework comes first. Screen time follows it.
• One hour on the weekend for the child’s choice. They choose what to do on the screen, without a parent directing it. Having some say makes the other rules easier to accept.

These four rules fit on a sticky note on the fridge.

Make the routine predictable

Children and adults find it easier to follow a familiar rule than a decision made on the spot. After two years, “no screens at the table” can feel like an ordinary part of family life. A daily 90-minute limit tied to finishing homework can still need discussion each afternoon.

Screen Time, Digital Wellbeing and Family Link can help enforce the rules. Decide what those rules are together first.

Use the tools to support the agreement

1. Schedule the screen-free windows. Set the device to lock at the times you’ve agreed.
2. Require approval for app installs. Talk about a new app before it’s installed.
3. Review the weekly summary together. On Sunday, ask what your child enjoyed and whether any of the numbers surprised them.

The aim is to reduce the number of decisions you have to make each day. If every week feels like a negotiation, start with a few clear rules everyone in the house can remember.