Setting screen time, gaming and social media boundaries over summer break 

Summer Break for me brings back sweet memories of sleeping in, pool time, riding bikes, and staying out until the streetlights came on. Today, the same may ring true, but now with easy online access to gaming and social media, those activities have competition for our children’s attention. With increased unstructured time, it is important to find a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. Here are a few ideas to try that might be helpful. 

• Define what is acceptable in terms of screen time, social media use, and the amount of online time allowed to help set limits and expectations. Together come up with a list of “Must Do’s,” tasks that need to be completed first to earn their time. Establish clear rules specifying which websites and apps are ok, and which are off limits (Parental Controls can help). 

• Encourage your children to brainstorm and make a list of activities they wish to do or goals they want to accomplish over the break. Post them as reminders and see how many they can check off. 

• Since we are brainstorming already, see what everyone can come up with as options for non-screen time activities that appeal to unique needs and wants. Here are a few ideas – STEM projects, build with recyclables, sports, hiking, creative writing, playing an instrument, reading, riding bikes, swimming …. 

 

Now that you have come up with some great ideas and things you want to do, it’s time to solidify your plans. Creating a weekly schedule like what teachers use to structure the school day/week can work well for the summer too. You can find and design schedule templates at sites like Canva: Visual Suite for Everyones. Be sure to build in some flexibility and wiggle room for those things that just come up; it is summer after all, so have fun with it and don’t be too rigid. Wishing you all a wonderful and safe summer break.  

 

Sources: Managing Summer Screen Time – An Action Plan! | ReConnect 

Navigating Online Safety over Summer Break – National Child Protection Task Force 

 

Registration Packets 

Registration packets for the 2026-2027 school year are now available at www.suima.org under the parent’s tab or you can call 970-563-0253 to schedule a time to pick one up at the SUIMA office.  

 

Upcoming events:  

Aug. 10 – First Day for staff 

Aug. 20 – Back to School – Open House 

Aug. 24 – First Day for students