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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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First Things First: Your ultimate guide to screen time for yourself, your kids

Mockup image of a hand holding white mobile phone with blank black desktop screen with blur background iphone tile phone cellphone cell phone / Getty Images
Mockup image of a hand holding white mobile phone with blank black desktop screen with blur background iphone tile phone cellphone cell phone / Getty Images Mockup image of a hand holding white mobile phone with blank black desktop screen with blur background iphone tile phone cellphone cell phone / Getty Images

Have you paused lately to look around at our technological world? From smart home devices to self-driving cars, it’s a lot to take in. And then, we have to navigate how our children engage with all this technology. It’s overwhelming to hear all the different voices, from professionals to friends, telling us how our kids should use technology. Our kids are growing up in a world where digital identities are just as real as physical ones. And it’s not like there’s a well-laid-out manual for helping your child navigate an ever-changing technological world.

You may be wondering, “What in the world do I do here?”

We can ask a different question, though. It’s this: “How can my family use technology without allowing technology to use us?”

As you make your plan, consider your personal situation. Based on American Academy of Pediatrics research, these general guidelines can help you navigate technology use in your home.

SCREEN TIME: GOOD AND BAD