Screen Time Over the Summer — How Do Parents Handle It?

Summer holidays mean more free time — and for many kids, that means more time on screens. Research by Vodafone found that young people could spend 42% more time on their phones during the summer than during the school term. That is a big jump, and it has parents and experts thinking about how to keep things balanced. Families across Wales are already coming up with their own ways to manage the extra screen time.

One mum who has found a clever solution is Cerys Colven, who lives in Brynhoffnant, Ceredigion. She has two sons, Macsen and Elis, and she says there is room for screens in their lives. But she also knows it can be hard to stop screen time without an argument. So she sets an alarm on an Alexa device, which means she does not have to be the one telling her kids to stop — the alarm does it for her.

Cerys says her oldest son often wants to play on devices like the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation because his friends enjoy those games. She also thinks some apps and games can be good for kids, helping them learn new things and connect with others. Still, she knows balance is important, and the alarm trick helps keep things fair. Her boys also love playing outside, which makes finding that balance a little easier.

At Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, a school in Gwynedd, students shared their own screen habits before the summer break. Skye, a Year 10 student, uses her phone for about seven hours and 20 minutes every day during a normal week. Her parents do not track her screen time closely, but she does have to put her phone away at 8:00 p.m. She admits that sometimes she wishes she could stay on it longer.

Skye got her first phone when she was 11, and she thinks that waiting helped her have a healthier relationship with technology. She pointed out that her younger brother has had a phone since he was three years old. Because of that, she says he has much stronger feelings when it comes to his phone. Starting later, she feels, helped her stay more in control.

Her classmate Awen uses her phone for just over an hour each day, mostly to listen to music and chat with friends. Awen has to ask her parents' permission before using her phone, which helps set clear limits. Even though research shows screen time goes up in summer, Awen thinks she will actually spend less time on her phone this holiday. She plans to spend time with her family and do more reading instead.

Another classmate, Osian, also thinks he will use his phone less over the summer, even though he has no strict rules at home. He spends about three hours a day on a gaming device, and he says it sometimes gives him headaches and makes him feel moody. His mum will take the phone away if she thinks he is using it too much. He said he is hoping for sunny weather so he can spend more time outdoors.

Child psychologist Dr. Nia Williams says that a short increase in screen time during the holidays does not cause lasting harm on its own. She points out that parents who are working over the summer may find it especially hard to control how long their kids are on screens. She also reminds families that the holidays are not that long, and children will return to their normal routines soon enough. The important thing, she says, is to keep a healthy balance while it lasts.

Dr. Williams also shared some advice for parents who want to set a good example. She said that one of the most important things parents can do is think about how much time they spend on screens themselves. Monkey see, monkey do — if parents are always on their phones, kids are likely to copy that habit. Some families have tried setting up no technology zones, such as keeping phones off the dinner table.

To help children enjoy their time off, Dr. Williams encouraged families to look for free events in their local communities. She said too much screen time can have a negative effect, but screens also have real benefits when used in the right way. The UK government recently published new guidance on the topic, noting that 24% of parents of children aged three to five find it hard to control their child's screen time. As summer gets underway, experts and families alike agree that finding the right balance is the key.