Summer and Screen Time: Finding Balance Instead of Perfection
Summer has a way of changing family routines. School is out, schedules are more relaxed, and children often have more free time than they know what to do with. It’s no surprise that many parents start wondering: “How much screen time is too much?”
The good news is that there isn’t one “right” answer. Every child, family, and summer schedule is different.
Rather than focusing only on the number of hours your child spends on a screen, it can be more helpful to think about how they’re using that screen and whether it’s balanced with other parts of childhood— playing, moving, creating, connecting, and simply relaxing.
As a Parent Navigation Coach, I spend much less time talking with families about screen time itself than I do about the challenges underneath it— boredom, power struggles, inconsistent routines, and difficulty transitioning between activities. For parents wondering how to create a summer that feels both fun and balanced, more often than not, screens aren’t the real problem. They’re simply one piece of a much bigger picture.
Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal
One of the biggest differences is whether screen time is a shared experience or an individual experience. Shared screen time might include watching a family movie together, laughing at a favorite TV show, playing a cooperative video game with a sibling or parent, or looking up answers to your child’s endless “why” questions together. These moments are about more than the screen itself. They create opportunities to laugh, talk, ask questions, and build relationships. Shared screen time can become quality family time.
Individual screen time looks different. Watching videos alone on a phone or tablet or playing games independently doesn’t offer those same opportunities for connection. That doesn’t make it “bad.” Kids (and adults) sometimes enjoy having their own downtime. The key is recognizing that different types of screen time serve different purposes.
It’s Okay if Screen Time Is Just for Fun
Parents often feel pressure to make every activity educational. During the school year, children spend hours learning, solving problems, following directions, and meeting expectations. Summer doesn’t have to feel like an extension of school.
Children deserve time to relax, laugh, and enjoy entertainment simply because it’s enjoyable. Funny cartoons, favorite movies, and creative games all have a place in childhood. Adults don’t always choose educational activities when they’re winding down after work. Children also benefit from opportunities to recharge without every moment being focused on learning. Rest is not wasted time.
Screen Time and Social Media Are Different
It’s also helpful to think about screen time and social media as two separate things.
Screen time can include watching movies, video chatting with grandparents, playing age-appropriate video games, creating digital art, reading e-books, listening to music or audiobooks, or looking up recipes and how-to videos.
Social media is different. It revolves around scrolling, likes, comments, algorithms, and social comparison. As children get older, families may find it helpful to create separate expectations for entertainment screen time and social media use rather than treating them as the same thing.
The Replacement Test
Instead of asking, “How many hours has my child been on a screen?” ask yourself: “What is screen time replacing?”
Is your child getting enough sleep, moving their body, spending time with family and friends? Are they using their imagination, helping with age-appropriate tasks, and exploring the world around them? Then an occasional movie marathon or extra gaming session during summer is just part of having a fun vacation.
Screen time becomes more concerning when it consistently replaces the experiences children need for healthy development: sleep, physical activity, face-to-face relationships, family time, responsibilities, or opportunities to play and explore.
The goal isn’t to eliminate screens. It’s to make sure they remain one enjoyable part of a balanced summer.
A Final Thought
Instead of asking, “How much screen time did my child have today?” try asking yourself:
- What did they create?
- Who did they connect with?
- What made them laugh?
- Did they move their body?
- Did they have time to simply relax?
- And finally…what did screen time replace?
If screen time isn’t replacing the experiences that help children grow, connect, rest, and enjoy childhood, you’re probably on the right track.
Summer should include bike rides, sprinklers, library visits, popsicles, board games, neighborhood adventures, family movie nights— and yes, even screen time.
If you’re finding that technology has become a source of daily conflict in your home, you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Parent Navigation Coach program at Jewish Family Service offers free, short-term support to help parents navigate everyday parenting challenges, including routines, behavior, boundaries, and family communication. Sometimes, a few practical strategies and a listening ear can make all the difference.
As Jewish Family Service’s Parent Navigation Coach, Becky Goldman provides short-term, supportive guidance to parents and caregivers who are navigating concerns related to their child, adolescent, or young adult’s emotional, behavioral, developmental, or school-related needs. She offers a compassionate space for parents to share what’s going on, help identify needs, and connect families with trusted tools, strategies, and community-based resources. Learn more from our Education & Learning page or the Parent Navigation Coach flyer.