As summer rolls around, children and young people often find themselves with more free time and much of that time ends up being spent online. Whether it’s hours on social media 📱, marathon gaming sessions 🎮, or endless scrolling on YouTube or TikTok 🎥, the summer holidays can quickly become a digital deep-dive.
While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some screen time, the break from school is also a great opportunity to reset routines, encourage balance, and keep online safety front and centre.
Here’s a simple guide to help you support your child’s digital wellbeing this summer 👇
More free time often means more screen time — but instead of focusing just on how much time is spent online, try focusing on how that time is spent.
Try this:
🕒 Create a summer screen schedule together. Plan for time online and time off screens.
👍 Talk about content quality is it positive, creative, or social? Or passive, draining? How does it make you feel?
📊 Use wellbeing tools like Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing for gentle nudges and breaks.
👥 When children feel included in setting boundaries, they’re more likely to respect them.
Just like during the school year, it’s important to set boundaries at night and that means keeping smartphones and tablets out of the bedroom.
Why it matters:
📵 Late-night scrolling often leads to disrupted sleep, even if the device is just nearby.
🌙 Blue light and notifications can interfere with falling and staying asleep.
🔒 Private browsing at night can increase exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
Top tip: Set a family tech curfew — all devices go on charge in a shared space (like the kitchen) 30–60 minutes before bedtime. Lead by example if you can!
With school out, social media use often increases and so does the potential exposure to harmful content or online pressure.
Keep an eye on:
⚠️ Algorithms pushing harmful content children might view one post about body image or anxiety and then be shown more of the same.
💬 Unfamiliar followers or chats some platforms make it easy for strangers to connect or contact your child.
📸 Highlight reel pressure seeing friends or influencers on holidays or looking “perfect” can lead to self-doubt.
💬 Encourage regular conversations about what your child is seeing online not in a judgmental way, but with genuine curiosity. Ask: “Seen anything that made you uncomfortable lately?” or “Have you come across any weird or worrying trends?”
While giving children some independence online is healthy, parents and carers still play a vital role in keeping them safe.
🧭 Check in regularly about what apps they’re using and who they’re talking to.
👀 Review browsing history or YouTube watch history together not as a “gotcha,” but as a way to open dialogue.
🧠 Remind them that if they see something upsetting or inappropriate, they can always come to you — without fear of getting in trouble.
Gaming can be great fun and social — but extended play sessions can increase risks.
Things to keep an eye on:
💸 Spending — summer events and “limited-time” offers can encourage in-game purchases.
🔊 Open voice chats — can lead to exposure to inappropriate language or behaviour.
💤 Late-night gaming — can really sleep schedules so best to try and keep to a routine.
Children and young people often need a bit of help choosing screen-free options, especially when the weather’s nice!
Ideas to try:
🗳️ No-screen activity jar — include day trip away, music, or other offline activities
🚶 Tech-free time outdoors — even a short walk or a trip to the park can refresh everyone.
🎨 Offline hobbies — tap into their interests in music, art, or sports.
⚖️ The goal isn’t to eliminate screens — it’s to help children discover a healthy mix of digital and real-world fun.
Most platforms use algorithms to keep users engaged — not to help them feel good.
🗣️ A helpful way to explain it:
“Apps like TikTok or YouTube learn from what you watch. But if you stop too long on a sad or shocking video, it might show you more of the same — even if it makes you feel worse.”
Help children take control:
🤔 Ask: “Why do you think this is showing up?”
🛑 Show how to block or “not interested” unwanted content.
🔄 Reset or refresh recommendations when needed.
Summer should be full of fun, connection, and rest. But in today’s digital world, that also means being aware of what children and young people are doing online — and helping them do it safely.
With a little planning, a few practical boundaries, and plenty of open conversations, you can support your child’s wellbeing — online and off.
Here’s to a summer of sunshine, sleep, and smart screen habits 🌞💬🎨
I’ll be sharing more tips throughout the summer via our parents app, but if you’d like tailored guidance or want to chat about any digital safety concerns, you can always book a 1-to-1 session with me here: Click here to book
Let’s make this a safe and balanced summer for your family 💬💻🌿
Remember to share it with your family & friends.
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