Helping Teens Build a Healthier Relationship with Screens This Summer

By: Lynne Gallagher, LICSW, Kristen Padgett, CHW, Cindy Slaga, PNP

From TikTok loops to YouTube spirals, today’s teens are more connected than ever. But that constant connection can lead to less sleep, less exercise, and fewer in-person activities. With school nearly out for the summer, many parents are wondering how to help their teens have a healthier balance.

First, it helps to know what is happening in the teen brain. The part of the brain that helps with self-control and decision-making is still growing. That makes it harder for teens to manage their time online, especially with apps that are built to keep them watching. Teens often scroll when they are bored, stressed, or feeling alone. They need support—not blame.

Start with Conversation, Not Control

The best way to begin is by listening. Instead of making rules right away, ask your teen what they like to watch and follow. Ask them what makes them laugh or think. This can lead to honest talks about their media habits and why they matter.

Help your teen think about what makes them feel good versus what makes them feel worse. Videos that teach new skills or spark creativity can be great in small doses. But content that shows risky behavior or unhealthy body images can be harmful. Learning how to tell the difference is an important life skill.

Create Structure and Support

Because teens are still learning how to manage time, they need help. You can work together to set some simple rules that make sense for your family. These might include no phones at the dinner table or turning off devices an hour before bed.

Teens are more likely to follow the rules if they see adults doing the same. If you check your phone at red lights or during meals, your teen may not take limits seriously. Try to model the screen habits you want to see.

Plan Real-Life Fun

A healthy screen routine does not mean no screen time at all. But teens should also have time for hobbies, movement, and time with others. Summer is the perfect time to build a routine that includes those things.

In Lowell, there are many ways to unplug. Teens can visit LaLa Books, check out local art at Western Avenue Studios, or take a walk along the Riverwalk, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, or in the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest.

There are also free or low-cost summer events around the city. You can find them at Mosaic Lowell (https://mosaiclowell.org/events/) and Like Lowell’s Summer Festivals page (https://www.likelowell.com/summerfestivals). Families with EBT cards can enjoy discounted or free access to museums and other programs through the EBT Card to Culture program (https://www.mass.gov/ebt-card-to-culture). Many local libraries also offer free or discounted passes and tickets to a wide range of fun and exciting places, so be sure to check what your library has available this summer.

Not All or Nothing

Screen time does not have to be all good or all bad. Teens often use phones to connect with friends or learn something new. But they can also fall into habits that are less helpful. The goal is not to be perfect—it is to help your teen find balance.

NPR recently shared that screen habits should be seen as a skill, not a failure. That skill takes time, support, and practice to build (https://www.npr.org/2025/03/17/nx-s1-5326162/teens-screens-online-parents). The American Psychological Association agrees. They say we should focus more on what teens are watching, not just how much (https://healthyviewing.apa.org).

The Bottom Line

Screens are part of teen life—and everyone’s life. Instead of fighting that, adults can help teens use screens in healthy ways. It starts with talking, setting fair rules, and encouraging real-life experiences.

This summer, give your teen the chance to grow, try something new, and enjoy the world around them—both on screen and off.

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