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Here are Scripts for parents to help you manage and discuss smartphone and tablet use with your children at different ages:
toddlers (2-5 years),
primary school kids (6-10 years),
preteens (11-13 years),
and teenagers (14-17 years).
Context: Setting rules and guiding very young children about screen time.
Parent: “Hey poppet, I know you love playing on Mummy’s/Daddy’s phone. We’re going to have some special times when you can play with it, but there are also times when we need to put it away. Do you know why?”
Child: Might nod or respond curiously.
Parent: “It’s because your eyes and brain need time to do other fun things like playing with toys, drawing, or reading books. So, let’s decide together when it’s okay to use the phone. Maybe after lunch or before dinner, but not too long, okay? And after that, we’ll play something else together!”
Child: May agree or be distracted.
Parent: “Great! If you see something on the phone that makes you feel sad or scared, tell me right away, and we’ll look at something else. How does that sound?”
Child: Might say “okay” or nod.
Parent: “You’re awesome! Let’s go play with your toys now!”
Context: Establishing rules and encouraging balanced activities.
Parent: “Hey, child’s name, summer’s here, and I know you’ll have more time to play games and watch videos on your tablet. But we also need to make sure we’re doing lots of different things, not just staring at screens all day. Can we talk about some rules?”
Child: “Okay, like what?”
Parent: “Well, we’ll set a time limit for how long you can use your tablet each day. What do you think is fair—maybe an hour or two?”
Child: “Maybe two hours?”
Parent: “That sounds reasonable, but let’s also make sure we’re doing other fun stuff, like playing outside, reading, or drawing. And remember, no screens during meals or before bed. Agreed?”
Child: “Okay!”
Parent: “Also, if you see something on your tablet that seems weird or makes you uncomfortable, you can always talk to me about it. It’s important to stay safe online.”
Child: “Got it!”
Parent: “Great. Let’s plan some fun activities together this summer that don’t need any screens. Sound good?”
Context: Discussing digital safety, appropriate content, and balancing screen time with other activities.
Parent: “Hey, I wanted to chat with you about your tablet use this summer. You’re getting older, and I know you enjoy using it for games, chatting with friends, and watching videos. But let’s talk about setting some boundaries to keep everything balanced.”
Preteen: “Like what?”
Parent: “We’ll set daily limits on screen time, maybe a couple of hours a day, depending on what else you’ve got going on. I also want to make sure you’re taking breaks to do other things, like hanging out with friends in person, reading, or exercising.”
Preteen: “Okay, but what if I need more time for something important?”
Parent: “If you’re doing something educational or really important, we can talk about extending your time. But it’s important to keep a balance so screens don’t take over your whole day. Also, let’s make sure you’re using apps and visiting websites that are safe and appropriate. I trust you, but I’ll be checking in regularly, okay?”
Preteen: “Yeah, that’s fine.”
Parent: “And remember, if you ever see something online that doesn’t seem right, or if someone you don’t know tries to talk to you, come to me. We’ll figure it out together.”
Preteen: “I will.”
Parent: “I’m glad we talked about this. Let’s make this summer fun and safe!”
Context: Encouraging responsibility, digital literacy, and open communication.
Parent: “Hey, can we talk about your smartphone and tablet use this summer? I know you’re responsible, but I want to make sure we’re on the same page about staying balanced and safe.”
Teenager: “Sure, what’s up?”
Parent: “I know your phone is important for staying in touch with friends and even doing schoolwork, but it’s easy to lose track of time and get sucked into your screen. Let’s set some general limits so you’re not on it all day—maybe a couple of hours outside of what’s needed for important things. What do you think?”
Teenager: “That sounds reasonable.”
Parent: “Great. Also, I want to talk about the content you’re consuming. You’re old enough to make your own choices, but it’s important to be critical of what you see online. Not everything is true, and some things can be harmful. If you ever come across something questionable or feel pressured, please talk to me. I’m here to help, not judge.”
Teenager: “Yeah, I know. I’ll come to you if something’s off.”
Parent: “Good. I trust you, and I’m proud of how responsible you’ve been with your phone. Let’s also make time for non-digital activities, like family outings, sports, or just hanging out without screens. It’s important to stay balanced, especially with all this extra free time in the summer.”
Teenager: “I agree. I’ve been thinking about trying some new activities anyway.”
Parent: “That’s really great! Let’s plan something together. I’m really glad we can talk about this openly.”
These scripts are designed to help you approach conversations about screen time and device use in a positive, open, and age-appropriate way. Adjust the language and details based on your child’s unique personality and maturity level.
But the main thing is BE CONFIDENT!
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