You didn’t grow up with Snapchat streaks or Instagram notifications. Your first brush with digital drama was probably AIM away messages.

Today’s social media platforms are engineered for engagement, and your child’s self-worth can get tangled in likes, follows, and curated perfection. You want to protect them, without being overbearing or tech-shaming. You want tools, not fear tactics. You want connection, not conflict.

And you want it all to work in real life, especially when you’re juggling summer camps, work-from-home days, and the occasional meltdown over Fortnite.

☀️ Why summer is prime time for screen time battles...

When school’s out, structure gets slippery. You’re working, they’re bored, and suddenly the “just one episode” has turned into an 8-hour YouTube rabbit hole of slime videos and Fortnite dance tutorials. We’ve been there. No judgment.

But here’s what we do know:

📱 Excessive screen time can mess with sleep, mood, self-esteem, and focus.
📱 Social media isn’t just “fun” — it’s also where comparison, pressure, and body image issues hang out.
📱 Even if your kid isn’t on social media yet, the content they do see is shaping how they view the world (and themselves).

That’s why summer is the perfect time to set the tone — and the boundaries — before the scroll gets out of control.

✅ Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time This Summer

Let’s keep it real and keep it simple:

1. Create a Screen Time Agreement Together

Skip the lecture and go full “family team.” Ask your kid what they think is fair, then co-create a summer tech plan. (It works better than the dreaded “because I said so.”)

2. Balance Digital Input with IRL Output

For every hour on screens, aim for a counterbalance — bike rides, art, baking, actual face time. Bonus points if it makes a mess or a memory.

3. Use Tech to Tame Tech

Timers. App blockers. Family controls. Set 'em up and let the robots help you parent for once.

4. Talk About What They’re Actually Watching

Ask curious, non-judgy questions:
“What made you laugh?”
“Did anything feel weird or upsetting?”
“Do you think that influencer is being real?”

Normalize talking about the internet — it’s not a monster, just a tool.

5. Teach the Why Behind the Limits

When kids understand the why, they’re more likely to respect the how. Help them connect the dots between screen time and sleep, attention, and self-worth.

☀️ Want the screen time talk to stick? Bring them to class.

This summer, we’re not just managing screen time — we’re making it make sense.

Our Social Media & Self-Esteem Class is designed for tweens ages 10–12 and their parents. Because honestly? We all need a refresh on what’s happening in the wild world of TikTok, YouTube, and “finstas.”

☀️ SUMMER SPECIAL: Get $20 off now through August 9! BOOK NOW ➡️