3 Ways to Get Your Children Away from TV (2024)

Explore this Article

Co-authored byKlare Heston, LCSW

Last Updated: April 4, 2024References

1. 1

   Explain your family values. Kids are less likely to push your limits when you thoroughly outline your reasons for reducing screen time. Let them know that, in your family, you place a higher value on family bonding, physical activity, and positive sources of entertainment. When you make it less about the negatives and more about the positives of reducing screen time, your children are more likely to comply.^[1]

2. 2

   Set clear limits. Once you’ve described your family’s viewpoint on screen time, it’s important to develop a clear game plan. You won’t be able to enforce your plan if you simply say, “Okay, kids, everyone needs to cut back on screen time.” Instead, be specific on what they can and cannot do.

   • You might say, “Kids, we’re starting a new plan to cut down on how much screen time everyone gets—me and your mother included. On weekdays, you guys have homework and after-school activities, so we think an hour of screen time is appropriate. On weekends, you can have two hours per day.”
   • You may also want to go over what types of TV shows and media are acceptable in your household. If you are unsure, read reviews beforehand. Even better, promote bonding by watching family-friendly shows and movies together.

   Advertisem*nt

3. 3

   Keep screens out of sight. As the old saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.” If TV isn’t in their face all the time, they won’t feel as tempted to watch it. Place TVs in only a few common rooms or tuck them away in cabinets until they need to be used.^[2]

   • There are many interesting ways to “hide” the TV. You can find systems that slide behind artwork or are pulled down from slots in bookshelves or entertainment centers.
   • In the case of other screens, it may help to store them in a cabinet when they aren't in use so that they aren't always within eyesight.
4. See Also

   Hunter Biden Found Guilty Of Federal Charges Related To Gun PurchaseGuilty on all charges. Will Hunter Biden go to jail?How to Break Your Toddler's TV Addiction? - Being The ParentToddler Addicted to TV (10 Practical Tips To Help You Cope)

   4

   Create a ticket system. To help your children transition into less TV time, develop a ticket system that clearly defines the amount of time they have for TV each day. For example, each ticket (worth 30 minutes of screen time) might go into a jar with each child’s name on it. They might be allowed two tickets per day during the weekdays and four on weekends.^[3]

   • You can even use tickets as a way to manage conduct. For instance, maybe only one child helps you unpack the groceries from the car, so they get an extra ticket to spend that week. However, if a child gets in trouble at school or fights with a sibling, they might lose a ticket.
5. 5

   Make the rules consistent across screens. TVs aren't the only screens children watch. Your child may also access television shows, movies, and games on their tablets, laptops and smart phones. Be consistent by extending your rules to cover all screens, which means limiting how often your children can use these devices, too.

   • Make sure your children understand that these guidelines refer to other devices, such as tablets and phones.
   • Some kids may use other screens to help with homework or other educational activities. If you approve of this use for screen time, set up parental controls that block their access to other sites during these times. One such control is the application Screen Time, which lets you manage how much time your kids spend on phones and tablets.^[4]

   Advertisem*nt

1. 1

   Go on fun outings. When the whole family is having fun outside the home, kids won’t miss the TV. Plan exciting outdoor adventures in your local community, such as a treasure hunt in the park, a festival, or a tour of a nearby museum.

2. 2

   Encourage creativity. Make art supplies available to your children in a special place in your home. Let them have free reign of these materials to make crafts, paint, color, or write imaginative stories. On occasion, sit down together and do creative activities that involve the whole family. That way, kids will see these activities as fun rather than a sad replacement for television.^[5]

3. 3

   Suggest physical activities. You know how important regular exercise is for health and wellness. Counteract the couch potato syndrome by getting your kids up and moving. Take a Frisbee out into the yard. Lace up your trainers and walk to a nearby park. It may also be fun to run a kids’ “exercise boot camp” on the weekend.

   • Getting your children involved in sports at school or in the community is also a great way for them to stay active. Being active also lessens the amount of time they have to spend watching TV.^[6]
   • Start a fun family tradition of going on a picnic, hike, or other outdoor adventure every few weeks.
   • During cold weather, encourage your kids to go out and sled, ice skate, or have a friendly snowball fight.
4. 4

   Read books. Reading can be just as fun and vivid as watching a TV show or movie. Introduce your children to stories that help them escape from everyday stress into imaginary worlds. Load everyone into the car for a weekly visit to your local library.^[7]

   • Make reading all the more interesting by telling your kids about the books you enjoyed as a kid. Try to find them in your library or online.
   • Plan an outing at your local library. Many libraries offer story hours and other fun activities and events. Make it even more fun by treating your kids afterwards (e.g., you might take them out for ice cream or to their favorite park).
5. 5

   Play board games. Time spent with parents and siblings is rich and enjoyable. Your kids will soon learn this as they spend more time away from TV. Another way to promote non-screen time is by scheduling a family game night. Take a vote on which board game to play and have at it.^[8]

   • Make sure you select games that are appropriate for all of your children.

   Advertisem*nt

1. 1

   Reduce your own screen time. Inspiring your kids to develop healthy habits starts with you. Cut back on the amount of time you and your spouse watch TV, and your kids won’t think it’s quite so unfair when you ask them to follow suit.^[9]

   • It may be wise for both parents to sit down together and decide how much screen time is appropriate for the entire family.
   • Your "screen time" covers all devices, such as phones, tablets, and computers. Make sure you are reducing your time on all these devices to model healthy habits for your kids.
2. 2

   Remove the TV from the master bedroom. It’ll look like you’re cheating if you have access to the TV at all times. If you want to really make things fair and square, remove the TV from all bedrooms, yours included. Screens (including tablets and laptops) should only be available in common areas like the kitchen or family room.

   See Also

   Effective Ways to Stop TV addiction in Children

3. 3

   Turn off the screen when you’re not watching. For many families, TV is like the soundtrack to their lives. If the TV in your home pretty much never gets turned off, start turning it off once your program is over.

   • Aim to be more intentional about your TV use. Think about which programs you like the most and watch only those. Press the “Power” button afterwards.
   • The same goes for tablets and smartphones. Power these devices off when you are having family time or whenever you're not intentionally using them.
4. 4

   Pursue interesting hobbies of your own. The ultimate goal for most parents is to encourage their children to do more positive activities like hobbies or sports. Be a good role model by following your own guidelines. If you expect each child to get involved in some sort of activity, the parents should do the same.

   • Think about hobbies you used to enjoy when you were younger. You can try needlepoint, gardening, basketball, or painting.

   Advertisem*nt

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question

Advertisem*nt

56 votes - 72%