Back-to-School Already?! How to Ease the Screen Time Transition

Parent Tipsschool

Aug 11

How is it already time to gear up for school again? It feels like we just got into a summer groove, and yet I’m seeing Spirit Halloween Stores already popping up!

It’s totally normal for parents to feel anxious at the end of summer about how much time their kids have been spending on devices. But don’t worry, most kids naturally reset their habits when their environment changes. Heading back to school means a big shift. Six-plus hours a day in the classroom is about to drastically cut down screen time.

That said, a few small changes now can make the transition much smoother.

1. Talk About What’s Coming

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m a big believer in clear, curious, and open conversations with kids of all ages.

Sit down together and compare the summer schedule with what school days will look like. For younger kids, grab a piece of paper and draw or write out the new daily routine. A visual can help them see why hours and hours of screen time just won’t fit anymore.

Then, talk through how much recreational screen time they’ll realistically have during the week. You can use The Smart Talk to write out your back-to-school rules, limits, and allowances.

It’s also a great time to brainstorm ways to keep digital distractions away during homework—kids may surprise you with some smart solutions.

2. Re-establish Your Screen-Free Zones

Let’s be honest, screen rules probably got a little relaxed this summer.That’s ok, but now’s the time to tighten them up.

If your kids aren’t teens yet, consider a “no screens in the bedroom” rule. Bedrooms and screens tend to lead to more hours online—and a higher chance of stumbling across inappropriate content.

Here are a few screen-free zone ideas:

Bedrooms for younger kids (and no devices in bedrooms overnight for anyone).
Family meals for everyone.
First thing in the morning before school (teens can wait until after breakfast).

These boundaries create sacred times and spaces where the outside world stays out—and family connection comes first.

3. Reset Your Screen Time Limits

Many parents loosen time and content limits during the summer—totally normal. Now’s the moment to revisit them.

Think about:

Reducing time spent on video games or social media.
Reintroducing time caps or app limits.
Setting clear boundaries for new devices.

If your child got their first phone this summer, set up the screen time controls you want before school starts. And remember: a phone doesn’t have to mean social media, internet browsers, or games.

4. Get Sleep Schedules Back on Track

In my family, summer means late nights - and my boys love it. But once school’s back, parents need to help kids get 8-10 hours of sleep they need to thrive.

About a week before school starts, begin adjusting bedtime and wake-up times. I treat it like jet lag: