Step 6: Continue the conversation as your child grows
As your child grows, their needs and your family’s plan may change. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages an open, ongoing conversation with your child about their devices as one of the most helpful things you can do. Checking in regularly and adjusting the plan together when something isn’t working can help your child build a healthy relationship with technology that lasts well beyond their first device.
As your child gets older, you may want to review their Screen Time settings together. Talking through what’s set and why can prepare them to start managing screen time themselves. You can also raise their Time Allowances, as the recommended amount of device time changes with age. It’s a good moment to consider whether they’re ready for more independence.
Check in regularly with your child and adjust your family’s plan as you go
On its website, the AAP suggests starting a check-in by saying something like:
“It’s been about a month since we set our guidelines. I wanted to check in on how things are going.”
“Let’s look at the guidelines we set up together, and talk about whether anything needs to change.”
“What’s working well?”
“What is not going as well as you hoped?”
It’s normal for parts of a plan to stop working as your child grows. If a rule isn’t working as well as you’d expected, you might revisit it together with your child.
For additional suggestions, see Conversation Starters for Families About Media from the AAP.