Screens + Sunshine: Finding Screen-Time Balance This Summer

Written By Annie Belott, M.Ed
 
 

Screen time + summer break – the seemingly inseparable duo!

Is it possible for the two to be embraced as an asset in your family, or will it ultimately turn into a point of contention?

With the ever-changing technology landscape we find ourselves in, it is easy to feel concerned about the impact it has on our families, especially during the more unstructured summer season. Remaining adaptable to the use and inclusion of technology in our daily lives is no longer an added bonus; it is a necessity.

So, how can we leverage and incorporate technology in a positive way, instead of letting it run rampant throughout the summer break?

The key will be to find the balance in your household between screen time and screen-free time, while remaining open and interested in our families members' digital hobbies.

Stay Intentionally Engaged

Setting screen-time limits is a great first step when creating summertime structure – but consider spending time with your family in their digital worlds, as well!


Consider talking about a game they are playing, helping them with a technology-related task or set up an online game/experience for the whole family to participate in.


Showing interest in our families’ digital hobbies will help foster a positive relationship with technology while staying in the know on their online presence.

Tell, Show & Learn

Actions speak louder than words! By modeling balanced, positive tech habits, you will more seamlessly encourage a healthier use of devices for those around you.

Encourage ongoing conversations about your family's online world, applications, games, websites, etc. – keeping this type of communication present in your family will help foster positive dialogues about the use and ever-changing nature of technology and reduce a potential technological divide.


By remaining open, positive and balanced in the use of screen-time in our homes, and engaging in productive conversations and teachable moments, the less apprehension, opposition and hidden screen-time use will be present. It’s important to stay intentionally connected to each other in this tech-connected world – use tech as an asset, not a way to create a greater divide.

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Annie Belott, M.Ed

With over nine years of experience working in academia, including university settings, Annie has worked with various student populations including individuals with disabilities, first-generation students, and student-athletes. She focuses on strategies to improve upon time management, procrastination, test anxiety, self-testing, learning styles, etc.

From 2016 to 2020, Annie worked as a Learning Skills Specialist at Georgetown University. Here she oversaw the implementation of academic support services to all students on campus, specifically individual consultations with students seeking assistance with their study habits, tutoring for foreign languages, and study skills workshops/webinars.

Annie has worked for Life Solved since the Fall of 2017 and recently transitioned to a full-time position with the company. She continues to work with students from middle school through the collegiate level to improve upon their organizational systems, test-taking and self-testing strategies, and help students create effective study schedules to make workloads manageable.

Annie has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University and a Master’s degree in Multicultural Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin.

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