Tip 1: Make screen time a topic of discussion

Do you think your teenager spends too much time behind a screen? Talk about it.
And are you going on holiday? Make sure you have already discussed it before you leave. No one wants a tense atmosphere on the way.

Especially with older children, it is a good idea to talk a lot about gaming and social media use. Listen to what they like so much about it. Join in and try to convince them that it is good to find a balance. Bear in mind that there is not necessarily a problem if your child behaves socially and puts their screen away of their own accord.

Tip 2: Make clear agreements

With older children, it is important to make clear agreements. Do this in consultation with each other. What do your children consider important to be able to do during the holiday? How much time do they think is realistic for gaming? Try to reach a solution together.

Make sure you do not make unrealistic agreements. So do not agree to avoid using screens during the holiday. Unless you enjoy going out with a paper map or disposable camera.

Examples of agreements include:

  • You may use your smartphone at set times. For example, everyone can check their messages one last time just before a shared activity. After that, the phones are put away.
  • Are you taking photos or do you need to use navigation? Then agree on whose phone will be used for that. At the end of the day, you can share all the photos you took with each other and decide which ones would look best on social media.
  • Use media together. Take an interest in the games your child plays and ask whether you can join in sometime.
  • Agree to turn off notifications from certain apps because they demand attention.

Tip 3: Set a good example

If you make agreements, it is important that everyone sticks to the same agreements. Do you not want your children to spend a lot of time watching TV or using a tablet or smartphone? Then do not do it yourself either.

Tip 4: Remember: media are mainly fun!

If your child is looking at their phone during the excursion to that one medieval castle, ask whether they can look up some information. That way, you might learn something too.