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Screen Time Survival Kit for Parents
50
items Millenial parents worried about phone/tablet use.
Sections
5
Free Resources
Books Every Parent Needs to Read
Parental Control Apps Worth the Money
Phone-Free Tools for the Home
Screen-Free Activities Kids Actually Want to Do
Free Resources
As a school counselor, I see the effects of too much screen time every day. These free resources are what I'd hand a parent in my office.
A free beginner guide with key actions and resources for any parent to help improve kids' mental health at no cost — created directly by Haidt.
Take Action - The Anxious Generation
Advice on family media agreements, device-free zones, parental controls, and how to tell if screen time is actually a problem for your specific kid. The most trusted free resource for parents navigating this.
Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between
Free downloadable contract families fill out together; great for parents who want structure without constant battles
Family Media Agreement Template
Free parent pledge to delay smartphones until 8th grade — parents have been joining this campaign in large numbers as part of re-evaluating their approach to screen time.
Wait Until 8th Pledge
The most-watched talk on this topic right now — free, 15 minutes, and validates everything parents are already feeling.
Jonathan Haidt - Ted Talk "The Anxious Generation" YouTube
Free resource that helps parents and kids understand how screen time affects sleep, the brain, and emotional health — includes a Digital Habits Checkup
Common Sense Education - Health Effects of Screen Time (free lesson)
Free age-by-age screen time guidelines from pediatricians — parents trust AAP recommendations the same way they trust their doctor.
Screen Time and Your Kids Guidelines (AAP)
Free tools for parents to send to their school requesting phone-free policies, including a sample email to school leadership.
Anxious Generation - Free School Toolkit
Free, eye-opening segment that parents share constantly — explains the design behind addictive apps in plain language; perfect for watching with a teen.
Youtube: "Your Phone Is Designed to Addict You" - Tristan Harris (60 Minutes)
Co-founded by Haidt, Let Grow makes it easy and normal for parents to give kids more real-world independence as an alternative to screen-based childhood. Free downloadable activities and a school program.
Let Grow - Free Independence Resources for Families
Books Every Parent Needs to Read
I've read most of these myself. Some as a professional, some as a mom who needed answers. If you want to understand what's actually happening in your kid's brain when they're on their phone, start here. They're practical, research-backed, and will ch...
THE book right now — phones, social media, and the teen mental health crisis.
The Anxious Generation
Practical guide to raising kids in the digital age without panic.
Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive in Digital World
Handbook for everyday digital-age parenting decisions.
Parenting in a Tech World: Raising Kids Digital
For older teens AND parents — actionable and eye-opening
How to Break Up with Your Phone: 30-Day Plan
The data behind what smartphones are doing to an entire generation.
iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Grow Up
Haidt's 2025 follow-up with practical guidance for growing up well in a screen-filled world.
The Amazing Generation: Guide to Fun & Freedom
Empowering families with digital citizenship skills.
Raising Humans in a Digital World
How screen addiction is hijacking our kids — written by a clinical psychologist.
Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Hijacks Kids
Balanced, research-based; for parents who don't want to go to extremes.
The Art of Screen Time: Family Balance Guide
Parental Control Apps Worth the Money
Parents ask me about these constantly in my office. The truth is, willpower alone isn't a strategy, especially when apps are literally designed by engineers to keep kids scrolling. These tools give you guardrails without requiring a battle every sing...
Scans messages, images, and content for 29+ harmful themes and sends parents real-time alerts — the most recommended app for parents of teens.
Bark: Parental Controls for Families
Best for customization — set screen time limits for weekdays vs. weekends, block specific apps like TikTok, and establish routines.
Qustodio: Parental control and digital wellbeing software
Best for real-time security — strong web filtering and browsing supervision with easy setup.
Norton Family | Parental Control Software for iPhone, Android ...
Hardware device that manages screen time across ALL home devices including gaming systems and smart TVs — no app bypass possible.
Circle Home Plus: Parental Control & Internet Filtering Device and App
Free built-in option for Android families — sets screen time limits, filters content, and manages subscriptions.
Google Family Link - Free
Built into every iPhone — free starting point for iOS families; set downtime, app limits, and content restrictions.
Use Screen Time to manage your child's iPhone or iPad
Top-rated overall for 2026 — includes mood-profiling, safe gaming monitoring, and digital privacy tools beyond basic screen time.
Aura Parental Controls: Content Filter, Screen Time Alerts
Simplest option for families who want screen time management without overwhelming features — great for older kids who need light-touch limits.
FamilyKeeper Parental Control - App Store - Apple
Standout for parents of middle and high schoolers — shows exactly how much time is spent on every individual app with keyword monitoring.
MMGuardian: Parental Control Solutions for Child Safety
Best for blocking explicit content — scans all sites, apps, and texts for inappropriate photos or videos
Canopy: AI-Powered Content Filter & Parental Control App
Phone-Free Tools for the Home
One of the most evidence-based things you can do is remove phones from bedrooms at night. That's it. But kids need something to replace the habit, an alarm clock, a way to listen to music, a camera for their creativity. These are the products that ma...
Physical boundary — phones go in at bedtime, no willpower required.
Time Lock Box – Phone Lockbox with Timer & USB-C
Screen-free audio player for kids; stories, music, podcasts — no YouTube rabbit holes.
Yoto Mini 2024 Edition + Make Your Own Card
Removes the #1 excuse for phones in bedrooms ("it's my alarm").
Old-School Alarm Clocks
Simple, clean bedroom clock replacement; removes phone from nightstand.
AcuRite: Digital Clocks - Amazon.com
Screen-free communication kids actually think is fun; great for independence too.
HUNICOM Kids Walkie Talkies 3KM Range
Reading-only device with parental controls — screen with a purpose.
Kids Fire Tablet - Amazon.com
Visual family organization that keeps everyone off phones for scheduling.
Wall Family Calendar - Amazon.com
Replaces phones at meals with actual connection — counselor-approved.
Who Knows Me Better Cards
Structure kids crave; reduces "can I have my phone" because they can see what's next.
Dry Erase Family Calendar - Amazon.com
Channels the photo-taking urge into something analog and tactile.
Polaroid Now Instant Camera Generation 3
Screen-Free Activities Kids Actually Want to Do
Taking the phone away only works if there's something worth putting it down for. These are games and activities that genuinely compete with screens, the ones kids ask to play again, that keep the whole family at the table longer, and that don't requi...
Fast, funny, wildly popular with middle schoolers — no one misses their phone.
Exploding Kittens Original Edition - 2-5 Players
Social deduction game perfect for families with tweens and teens; highly replayable.
Wavelength: The Mind Reading Party Game
Team-based word game; one of the most popular family games of the last decade.
Codenames Game
Slow, calming, collaborative — the opposite of a scroll.
Jigsaw Puzzles 1000 Pieces
Strategy board game families play for years; builds patience and planning.
Ticket to Ride Board Game
Fast-paced word game; works for ages 7 to adult; no setup time.
Bananagrams Classic Word Game
Quick-play card game; great for short windows when kids reach for phones out of boredom.
Spot It Game
Classic tactile game; works across all ages and works as a dinner-table activity.
Jenga
Open-ended creative outlet; art as a screen alternative rather than a chore.
Sketchbook And Pencils
Gets kids outside and off devices; low barrier, all ages, no experience needed.
Pickleball Set
A favorite game with kids of all ages.
Gaga Ball Pit