Health. Screens: Five tips to help your teen disconnect during the holidays

This is the golden rule! It's difficult to ask your teen to put down their phone if you're checking emails at the dinner table or spending the evening on your tablet. Teenagers are very sensitive to contradictions. By limiting your own screen time around them, you'll gain credibility.

Tip #2: Establish the rules of the game... together!

Teens only want one thing: to get around what's imposed on them. Be cunning and offer them a "vacation contract" instead. Discuss it openly. How much screen time per day? When? What screen-free activities are offered in exchange? A teen who helps develop the rules will be much more likely to respect them.

Tip #3: Trust him (but keep an eye out)

Once the rules are established, avoid "monitoring" him. Constantly being on his back is the best way to put him off and achieve the opposite effect. Make it clear that you trust him to manage his time as agreed. Of course, remain vigilant by giving him some leeway.

"What about going for a walk?" "There's a great exhibition in town!" It's good to suggest activities, but the best approach is to involve them. Ask them what they'd enjoy. A mountain bike ride with their friends?

An afternoon at an amusement park? A sports or music camp? If he's the one who initiated the project, he'll participate with much more enthusiasm than if it's a mandatory family outing.

Tip #5: Don’t demonize screens

After all, it's the holidays! A little more screen time isn't a big deal. The important thing is to avoid passive, endless consumption. Take an interest in what he's doing: talk about his favorite video games, watch a video he's passionate about.

What if you turned screen time into a meaningful activity? Suggest they look up a guitar tutorial, watch a documentary on a topic they're interested in, or create a video montage of their vacation.

Source: lebonusagedesecrans.fr