Parents worry about their children navigating today’s digital world. The internet can be pretty scary, even dangerous,for both parents and children. These headlines, for example:

"Grok flooded X with millions of sexualized images...Photos of women, kids altered to put them in sexual positions." –The New York Times

"Screen addiction and suicidal behaviors are linked for teens, a study shows" –NPR

"FBI has opened 250 investigations tied to violent online network ‘764’ that preys on teens, top official says" –ABC News

Here are 10 common-sense things parents can do to keep kids safe when using screens.

1. Set Reasonable Limits for Family Media Use

It is a good idea to set limits on where, when, how long, and for what purposes your child can use their devices, including all screens: phone, tablets, computer, TV, dedicated consoles, and VR headsets, etc. You might have a "No phone rule while at the dinner table or when you are eating out at a restaurant." Also, you might have a rule about the amount of time they can be on their devices after school or in the evening. It is a good idea to put your rules in writing, along with consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for following them.

2. Encourage Alternative Activities

It is helpful for parents to encourage their children to engage in activities that are not screen-related—for example, playing board games, putting puzzles together, shooting hoops, or reading books. You might help your child get into a hobby that matches their interests, such as painting, crafting, hiking, climbing, chess, or birdwatching.

3. Model Healthy Relationships With Screens by Being a Good Screen-Time Role Model

Children learn a lot from watching their parents’ behavior. I often call this type of learning "monkey see, monkey do" because it mimics parental behavior. For this reason, parents need to be good screen-time role models. Modeling healthy screen habits is beneficial for both you and your children. You can do this by:

• Limiting your own screen time
• Having proper boundaries, like no screens at meals or bedtime
• Not "phubbing" others (phone snubbing is the act of using your phone while ignoring the others around you)
• Finding other ways to entertain yourself, like reading or doing hobbies
• Getting involved in sports

4. Insist on Screen-Free Bedrooms

Research shows that the blue light emitted from screens 1-2 hours before sleep can delay sleep and affect REM sleep. It also may suppress melatonin and disrupt your circadian rhythm. So, it is essential that you create a screen-free bedroom for your child. Remove TVs, tablets, and phones from their bedroom, and instead have them read or listen to soothing music. Make it a rule that your children charge their devices outside of their bedroom at night. If they counter with, "I need my phone to set an alarm to wake me up," buy them an alarm clock.

5. Be Unafraid of “Bored Time" for Kids

Some parents, especially overindulgent parents, are worried their child is going to be bored. They think that screen time is better than being bored. It’s OK to let your children be bored! Boredom opens up the door to imagination and creativity. I hear my mother’s sage advice about me being bored ringing in my head: "I’ll show you bored. Go outside and play!"

6. Use Apps to Monitor Screen-Time

There are numerous apps parents can use to monitor their child’s screen time and limit device use. Some apps are built right into the device’s software, while others can be downloaded and come with a monthly fee. Key functions of child monitoring apps you should look for include:

• A Parent’s Role

• Take our Authoritative Parenting Test

• Find a family therapist near me

• Location tracking

• Content filtering and web supervision

• Screen time management

• Monitoring of app usage

• Monitoring of social media and messaging

• Browsing and activity reports

7. Have Open Communication

It is important to communicate openly and honestly with your child about screen time without judgment. Tell them why you want to reduce it. Talk about optional activities they could be spending their time with and why that is important. Involve them in the decision-making process so that they feel empowered. This conversation is more than a one-time thing. Regularly ask your child what programs, games, and apps they are using.

8. Keep Tabs on Credit Cards

Children may not understand the concept of money and where it comes from, especially in this digital age. To them, a credit card may be just a magic piece of plastic one swipes on the little machine hooked to the register, and then you get stuff! Parents need to actively teach their children about money, particularly when it comes to buying things online. Spending real money on online games can get out of hand quickly. Parents should put safeguards in place that do not allow children to use their parents’ credit cards. An alternative option is to give them gift cards with spending limits, with the goal of teaching them about budgeting.

9. Preview Programs, Games, and Apps

It is always a good idea to view or play programs, games, and apps before allowing your child to use them. Go online. Read reviews. Get recommendations from organizations like Common Sense Media. Even better yet, play the games, watch the programs with your child, and then talk about them afterward.

10. Develop Screen-Time Rules

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children 18 months or younger should not use digital media. Children 18 to 24 months should avoid solo media use. Limit screen-time to one hour a day for high-quality programming for children 2 to 5 years of age. With children aged 6 years and older, you should involve them in developing appropriate screen-time rules, making sure screens do not interfere with sleep, and healthy activities like reading.

A growing part of adolescent life revolves around online relationships and social media. It is OK for your teen to be online as long as they understand what is and what is not appropriate. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests the following guardrails for teens:

• No sexting
• No cyberbullying
• No sharing of personal information online
• Do not send or share anything online that they wouldn’t want on a billboard for the entire world to see forever
• Never agree to meet someone you have met online
• Texting and video chatting online is the same as talking with a stranger
• Because you see it or read it online does not mean it is true
• When you chat with an AI companion, you are not talking with a real human

My hope is that these ideas will help you navigate this brave new digital world as you journey through it with your children.

Practice Aloha. Do all things with love, grace, and gratitude.

© 2026 David J. Bredehoft