For many families, screen time naturally increases during the school holidays. Routines change, bedtimes can drift, children have more free time and parents or carers are often juggling work, childcare and everything else that comes with everyday life.
That can leave many adults feeling conflicted. According to Ofcom’s 2026 media use and attitudes report, 55% of parents of 8-17-year-olds feel their child’s screen time is too high. On the other hand, we can recognise that screens can provide entertainment, social connection and even a much-needed moment of calm.
The good news is that conversations about screen time don’t need to become a daily battle. In this article, we’ll explain how clear expectations and regular conversations often work better than strict rules alone.
All screen time isn’t the same
Ofcom’s 2026 report also noted that nearly all parents (91%) say being online helps their child in some way, including with learning, creativity and social connection. So it can help to think about how children are using screens, rather than only how long they’re using them for.
Watching educational videos, researching a topic they enjoy, catching up with friends online, creating digital art or using apps that encourage outdoor activities are all very different experiences from endless scrolling or passively watching videos for hours.
For many children and young people, screens are also an important part of how they socialise. Gaming, messaging and online spaces can help them stay connected with friends during the holidays, particularly when face-to-face meetups are not possible.
With this in mind, you might come up with a traffic light system like this:
- Green screen time: For example, things that don’t really need restrictions, such as a video call with a relative.
- Yellow screen time: This category includes screen time that isn’t harmful in its own right but should be limited as it can take over other activities if it isn’t done in moderation. Examples might include watching age-appropriate TV, playing video games with friends, or watching educational videos/programmes.
- Red screen time: Anything that is only allowed with the strictest rules and time restrictions.
Having this traffic light system in place can also help children understand what screen time is okay and what isn’t. Any screen time activities you’re not comfortable with your child doing – such as playing games with people they don’t know in real life – might sit outside this. Explain to your child clearly what those activities are and why they aren’t allowed.
It’s also important to mention here that for some neurodivergent children, screens and devices can play an important role. They can help them manage their emotions, relax after overwhelming situations, engage with special interests or maintain a sense of routine and familiarity during unstructured holiday periods.
Healthy screen habits will look different in every family, and even between children in the same household. For working parents and carers especially, it is important to remember that screens may sometimes be a necessary part of getting through the day – and that’s okay.
How to talk to children about screen time
Simply banning or heavily restricting screens can create more tension with your child. According to Ofcom, around one third of parents say they find it hard to control their child’s screen time, so if these conversations feel difficult, you’re not alone.
Children are often more likely to respond well to boundaries when they understand the reasons behind them. This is where honest, age-appropriate conversations can help. Rather than only talking about screens during arguments, try to have regular conversations about:
- sleep and rest
- physical activity
- online safety
- family time
- how screen use affects mood and energy levels
What works for a six-year-old probably won’t be realistic for a teenager, so expectations may need to evolve over time. As children grow older, the aim is not simply for them to follow rules, but to begin recognising for themselves when screen use is helping them and when it may be affecting their wellbeing.
It can also help to acknowledge children’s feelings honestly. If all their friends are online gaming together, for example, wanting to join in is understandable.
Setting healthy screen time rules at home
Children tend to respond best when expectations are clear and predictable. This is where a traffic light system (see above) can be helpful.
Children are also more likely to spend less time on devices when adults model healthy habits. Being mindful of your own screen use around children can make a difference too. Depending on the age of your children, you could also work together to come up with a family agreement around tech use. This template from Childnet might help.
Some families find it helpful to have rules such as:
- no screens before a certain time
- outdoor activity before gaming
- devices switched off before bed
- screen-free mealtimes.
Consistency is often more important than having the ‘perfect’ rules. Children can find changing expectations confusing, particularly if boundaries are enforced strongly one day and ignored the next.
At the same time, some flexibility helps children understand that routines can adapt to different situations. Holidays, long journeys, illness or special occasions may mean screens are used differently sometimes. Explaining these exceptions clearly can help children understand that boundaries are about balance, not punishment.
Screen time boundaries for different ages
Children’s screen habits and needs will naturally change as they grow older. Teenagers may rely more heavily on devices for socialising and independence, while younger children may need more support with routines and limits.
Interestingly, Ofcom found that two-thirds of teenagers say they have already taken steps themselves to manage their time online. This includes disabling notifications, planning specific offline time, not taking devices to bed and taking breaks from social media.
Screen-free activities to encourage children offline
Sometimes children will complain that they’re bored when screens are unavailable. That can be uncomfortable for adults, but boredom isn’t always a bad thing. Often, after a period of moaning or frustration, children begin finding their own ways to play, create or relax.
But if your child can’t think of ways to entertain themselves, we’ve got some ideas. Simple activities can make a big difference, such as:
- going to the park or adventure playground
- family bike rides
- kicking a football around together
- meeting friends outdoors
- garden games
- local sports or play sessions
- trips to the local library
- keeping craft materials, books, Lego or other activities easy to access.
For more ideas, see our article: Low cost screen-free summer activities for kids
Some families also find it helpful to create a simple holiday activity chart with ideas for places to go and things to do throughout the week. On days when you’re not working, you can plan bigger days, but on other days you can plan activities for your child to do at home, alone or with a friend or sibling.
Using parental controls and device settings to reduce conflict
Many devices now have built-in screen-time settings, timers and parental controls. Some parents also choose to password-protect devices or set automatic start and finish times. These tools can help reduce conflict because the limit is no longer enforced solely by the parent or carer in the moment.
Whatever limits you decide on, whether a simple, fixed routine or something a bit more flexible, remember there’s no single ‘right’ approach that works for everybody.
For more guidance on using parental controls and device settings to manage screen time, read Internet Matters’ useful summary of the screen time tools available.
Managing screen time at friends’ houses and sleepovers
One of the trickiest parts of managing screen time in the holidays can be navigating different rules in different households. Some families are comfortable with more gaming, later bedtimes or unrestricted device use than others. Even families with very similar values may still approach things differently.
Some differences between households’ rules are inevitable. In many cases, seeing that different families have different routines and boundaries can be a good learning experience for children.
Things to bear in mind when your child is at a friend’s house:
- Talking openly with your child before they go on a playdate or sleepover can help. Make sure they understand your family’s expectations and the reasons behind them.
- It’s also worth being realistic about social dynamics. If your child doesn’t have a phone but their friends do, screens may naturally become part of time spent together.
- Some parents find they feel more comfortable hosting playdates at their own home, or asking children to leave phones with an adult during certain activities.
Occasionally, another household’s approach may feel too different from your own boundaries or expectations. If this is the case, you may need to think carefully about what you feel comfortable with, and perhaps always offer to have that friend over at your house.
Talking to other parents about screen time rules
Conversations about screen time can sometimes feel sensitive, especially when families have different approaches. If you need to discuss expectations with another parent or carer, it can help to keep the tone warm and practical rather than judgemental.
Keep conversations supportive and respectful using phrases like:
- “This is what tends to work for us…”
- “We’re trying to avoid screens too late at night…”
- “We’ve noticed they cope better with some limits in place…”
Most parents are trying to balance fun, wellbeing, safety and rest in ways that work for their own family circumstances.
But ultimately, while you can explain your concerns to another parent, you’ll also need to bear in mind that their rules apply in their house.
Online safety tips for children during the school holidays
Alongside boundaries around time, holidays can also be a good opportunity to keep conversations about online safety open and ongoing. That might include talking about:
- privacy
- gaming chats and group messages
- knowing when to block or report someone
- what to do if something online feels upsetting or uncomfortable
- when to ask a trusted adult for help
Regular conversations are usually more effective than one-off warnings. We cover this topic in more detail in our article: Online safety for children and young people.
Finding a healthy balance with screens during the holidays
Ofcom found that nearly four in ten (37%) children aged 8-17 themselves say they think they spend too much time on screens, suggesting many young people are already thinking about their own habits too.
But even with the best intentions, there’s no perfect formula for managing screen time during the holidays, and most families will have easier days and harder ones. Do what you can to make sure boundaries are clear and consistent, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you find it doesn’t always work out exactly as you’d hoped.
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