The school year is in full swing, and many kids are still adjusting to a new routine after a summer break that likely included less structured days and more screen time. Now is a great time to set your kids up for success in the rest of the school year by transitioning them to less screen time and healthier sleep routines—which lead to better academic performance.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that kids ages 6 to 12 need between nine and 12 hours of sleep a day and teenagers need eight to 10 hours. Taking adequate time away from digital media and screens can help by reducing the extra mental stimulation and blue light that can interfere with a natural transition into a good night’s sleep.
Here are some of the ways you can help your kids set healthy boundaries with their devices—and even use the device settings to reduce screen time and set routines that support better sleep.

Page overview

Put the devices to bed

1
Put the devices to bed
2
Highlight the difference between schoolwork and fun screen time
3
Set up a family agreement, and include kids in the process
4
Don’t go for zero screen time … unless you are willing to role model it
5
Let them earn their screen time
6
Create nighttime screen settings
7
Set screen time limits
8
Get assistance with a bedtime routine
1.
Put the devices to bed
An image of a dad and two kids playing with toys and an Amazon tablet.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cutting off screen time at least an hour prior to bedtime. Dr. Michael Rich, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Digital Wellness Lab, advises bedtimes for both kids and devices.

“I recommend to my patients that they turn off all screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime and place their phones, tablets, and all screens outside of their bedroom with the volume off overnight. They will fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer,” said Dr. Rich, who is also a physician and researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital.

2.
Highlight the difference between schoolwork and fun screen time

Over the last couple of years, schools made investments in devices and online learning systems, which brought overall screen time up. Make sure kids understand that when they have screen time as part of their assigned homework, that time can’t be used for play time.

3.
Set up a family agreement, and include kids in the process
An image of a dad and two kids laying on a carpet smiling at their devices, including a tablet and a phone.

Kids are very perceptive of what’s not fair, and being unilateral about device use may feel that way. Instead, include them in the discussion and get their acceptance of the new school-year rules by writing out a family agreement.

4.
Don’t go for zero screen time … unless you are willing to role model it

Younger kids find activities like reading, watching videos, or playing games to be a relaxing and needed break, and teens often use their devices as a way to socialize and stay in the loop. Parents also likely have screen time—and kids will naturally model your behaviors and use them to justify theirs.

5.
Let them earn their screen time
Young girl smiling while playing with her kindle

Set rules around what kinds of screen time are earned by what kinds of activities. The same device that has action games may also be stocked with Kindle books that you want them to read. As an example, one rule might be no games or videos until the weekend, and only chatting with friends or browsing the web after homework is done for the day.

6.
Create nighttime screen settings

All Amazon devices connected to the Amazon Kids+ service, like a Fire Kids tablet or Amazon Echo Dot Kids, can be controlled from the Amazon Kids Parent Dashboard. Amazon Fire Kids tablets have a setting for low blue light, which limits sleep disruption. The setting can be used in the lead-up to a set bed time. After that, you can set the tablet to no longer work for the day and alleviate temptation altogether.

7.
Set screen time limits

There’s nothing simpler than a timer that can’t be bypassed. Kids will quickly understand and accept that they can’t make it beyond, say, two hours of watching videos per day. This can teach them to value their available screen time—and to be more thoughtful about when they really want to be on a device versus playing outside with friends, for example.

8.
Get assistance with a bedtime routine
An image of an Echo Kids device next to a rocket shaped lamp sitting on a wooden table. The background is a dark blue wall with green space illustrations including a rocket, a planet and a telescope.

Use Alexa to create routines, foster independence, and add a little fun to the mix. To get started, try these Alexa skills:

  • “Alexa, start Chompers” will set off a yarn of jokes, riddles, stories, fun facts, silly songs, and more entertainment that keeps kids brushing their teeth for the full two minutes that dentists recommend.
  • “Alexa, wake me up at 8 a.m.” or “Alexa, set a wake-up light alarm for 7 a.m. on my light” will encourage kids to take charge of their wake-up routine.
  • “Alexa, read me a bedtime story,” “Alexa, open Disney Stories,” or “Alexa, good night” will offer a wide variety of bedtime story choices.
  • “Alexa, turn off the lights” and “Alexa, open Sleep Sounds” will allow your child to stay cozy in bed and drift off to sleep peacefully.
There’s lots of ways to make technology work for you and your family. Prepare rules and rewards, and set up systems ahead or during the school year. That way, no matter how many devices are in the house, your kids can study, have fun, and even get a good night’s rest.
Learn more about creating healthy digital experiences for your family.