5 Screen Time Rules That Help at Home

You found us through Pinterest — welcome. The 5 rules from the pin are a good place to start. This page breaks down WHY each one can help and HOW to make it stick in your house (the part the pin didn't have room for). Made by an autism mum of two boys, for our own household first.

Rule 1 1 Turn screens off one hour before bed

A good first rule for most families. Often the bigger issue is what's being watched. Exciting shows, games, and YouTube clips can make it hard for your kid to wind down, even after the screen goes dark.

How to make it stick

• Anchor it to bath time. "Screens off before bath" is easier to remember than "screens off by 7:30pm."
• Replace, don't subtract. Audiobook, paper book, drawing, quiet building blocks. Have the alternative ready.
• Charging station outside the bedroom. Otherwise the iPad ends up under the pillow at 11pm.

Rule 2 2 Make meals screen-free for everyone

This is the rule most parents underestimate. Family meals are a lovely time for connection and conversation. A screen at the table gets in the way. And "everyone" means YOU too — phone face-down or in the other room.

How to make it stick

• Phones in a basket on the counter before meals start. Out of sight, out of mind.
• Conversation prompt cards if "how was your day?" keeps getting "fine." (We include 12 of these in our Activity Cards workbook.)
• Start with just dinner. Don't try to make breakfast and lunch screen-free on day one.

Rule 3 3 Try outdoor play before screen time

Outdoor play is a lovely way for kids to shift gears. Fresh air, running about and unstructured time outside give kids a break from screens and a chance to burn off some energy.

How to make it stick

• Make it the default. "Outside time first, then we'll talk about iPad."
• Doesn't have to be elaborate. Scooter around the block, kicking a ball, walking the dog all count.
• Bad weather rule: 10 minutes of jumping jacks, dancing, or yoga inside before screens. Movement first, screen second.

Rule 4 4 Use one screen at a time

Many kids watch TV while playing on a tablet while also having YouTube on a phone. With several screens going at once, it's hard to really enjoy any one show or game. One screen = full attention = better experience.

How to make it stick

• Name it for what it is. "We use one screen at a time in our family because we enjoy things more that way."
• Visible parking spot for the second device ("phone stays on the table while you watch the movie")
• Same rule for adults. Don't scroll your phone while watching TV in front of your kid.

Rule 5 5 Charge devices outside bedrooms

The single highest-leverage screen rule in any house, especially for tweens and teens. Phones in bedrooms make late-night and secret use easy, and take away the natural "end of screen day" the bedroom door used to provide.

How to make it stick

• Build a charging station in the kitchen or family room. Every device goes there at night. Including yours.
• One-screen alarm clock. If they say they need their phone as an alarm, get them a $15 cheap alarm clock. Problem solved.
• Hold the line through the first 2 weeks. Expect some protest at first; stay calm and consistent.

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