How to Manage Your Kids Screen Time During Holiday Breaks

Image Created with Meta.AI

Holiday break is a fun time for your kids, as most will see it as an opportunity to spend more time in front of their screens. For us parents, it can be a nightmare as our children become more immersed in their devices. From TikTok trends pushing harmful behaviors, to YouTube algorithms that funnel kids into content they’re not ready for, to other “kid-friendly” games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft with hidden chatrooms and unfiltered ads, our children are navigating a digital minefield every day. The real issue isn’t just these online plaforms, it’s the culture of constant connection, unsupervised access, and platforms designed to capture and keep our kids’ attention at any cost. Even the safest-looking app can expose children to manipulation, comparison, and exploitation. It's hard enough to monitor these games during the school year, but Holiday break allows kids more access to these platforms. If you want to find a fair balance for your kids between the digital world and the real world, read on. Here's what you need to know:

Start with a Conversation with your kids. Before setting any screen time limits, sit down and have a conversation with your children. Start by discussing why it’s important to create limits and how too much screen time can take away from time spent with loved ones and favorite holiday traditions. Explain that by stepping away from screens, they’ll have more time to play and connect with others, which is what the holidays are all about!

Set Screen Time Limits. Once you have talked with your children about the importance of managing screen time, the next step is to decide on daily limits. These will look different depending on your child’s age. For example, it’s generally recommended that children between the ages of two and five spend about one hour of screen time per day, while older children can spend around two hours. This includes watching TV, playing games or using educational programs. The key is setting realistic, age-appropriate boundaries that work for your family.

Create a Family “Screens Off” Time. Screen time limits work best if the whole family participates. Designate a time each day when everyone, parents included, puts their screens away. This includes phones, tablets, laptops and any other electronic devices. You can have everyone set their devices in a central spot to charge, like the kitchen, and dedicate this time to doing something together. Whether it’s reading a book, playing a board game or going outside for some fresh air, this daily break ensures that your family spends quality time together with no distractions.

Encourage Other Activities. Keeping children engaged with fun, hands-on activities makes it easier to cut down on screen use. If your child is entertained, chances are they won’t feel drawn to electronics. Plan family outings, like visiting holiday festivals, looking at holiday lights, or going to farmers' markets. At home, encourage your child to read holiday stories, create arts and crafts, or help with cooking and wrapping gifts. Not only are these activities fun, but they’re also beneficial to your child’s development. You can also encourage your child to help with chores around the house to occupy their time and teach them responsibility.

Use "Earned Screen Time. Implement a policy where screen time must be "earned" by completing non-screen activities first. Example: "You need to do 60 minutes of reading, outdoor play, or helping a relative before you can have 30 minutes of screen time."

Enforce Consequences (The "Off Switch"). Clearly communicate the consequences for not adhering to the established rules. If your kids refuse to follow the limits or become overly defiant when asked to switch off, the device can be taken away for a set period (e.g., 24 hours). This reinforces that the rules are serious and helps teach accountability and self-regulation.

If you found this tech tip helpful, forward this blog to a friend or family member or simply use the share icons below now. If you have any questions, please reach out via email or on social media. I'm always available.

About Burton Kelso. Burton Kelso is an internationally recognized 2x TEDx Technology Keynote Speaker and Consumer/Small Business Tech Expert dedicated to making the complexities of the digital world accessible and secure. With over 30 years of experience in the trenches of cybersecurity, digital marketing, and AI ethics, Burton has become a trusted voice for organizations seeking to navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape. As a high-energy corporate trainer and event speaker, Burton specializes in translating "geek speak" into actionable strategies for leadership teams, small business owners, and everyday consumers. He is a frequent media contributor, providing expert commentary on national and global news outlets regarding AI safety, digital wellness, and cyber-threat mitigation.

Whether he is delivering a virtual workshop or a mainstage keynote, Burton’s mission is to empower audiences to use technology as a tool for growth—not a source of stress.

Looking to book Burton for your next conference or corporate event? Explore Speaking Topics & Availability Here.

Looking for More Useful Tech Tips? If you like video tips, I LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.   

Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com  I love technology. I've read all of the manuals, and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone.

Please share this with your friends and family! If you found this post useful, would you mind helping me out by sharing it? Just click one of the handy social media sharing buttons below.

The above content is provided for information purposes only. All information included therein is subject to change without notice. I am not responsible for any direct or indirect damages arising from or related to the use of or reliance on the above content.