How to Set Screen Time Limits That Actually Work

Screen time limits are easy to set and easy to ignore. Most fail for the same reason: they ask a person to say no to something always available.

Why limits fail

• Time limits can be dismissed with one tap
• Kids learn quickly how to get around them
• Adults override their own rules at the end of a long day

What works better

• Agree on the rules first. Explain the why, especially to kids.
• Set clear phone-free zones and times: meals, bedrooms, homework.
• Remove the biggest sources of scrolling rather than limiting them: social media and an open browser.
• Make the rule structural, so it doesn't depend on daily discipline.

Removing instead of limiting

A Grow Phone is a real Samsung Galaxy smartphone with no unrestricted web browser, social media or open app store, and factory reset is blocked. You choose the apps, so there's no limit to set because the endless scroll isn't there. For pricing, Grow Control membership and app compatibility, see the Grow Phone page.

Related: dangers of unfiltered smartphones for kids and Grow Phones.