Lesson 5: Screen Time & Digital Balance
Technology is a wonderful tool — but like all good things, it's best in balance. Learning to manage your screen time helps you stay healthy, sleep better, do well in school, and have time for all the other great things in life.
Key Concepts
How Much Is Too Much?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1-2 hours of recreational screen time per day for kids your age. That includes games, videos, and social media — but not homework.
What Screens Do to Your Brain & Body
Too much screen time can cause eye strain, headaches, poor sleep (blue light wakes up your brain), and less time for exercise and face-to-face friendship. It can also make it harder to focus in class.
Healthy Habits
The 20-20-20 rule for eyes: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Turn off screens 1 hour before bed. Have screen-free meals. Try to go outside every day!
🆕 Activity: My Daily Schedule Planner
Build your ideal day! Drag activities into time slots. See how much time you're spending on screens vs. other activities.
✅ Check Your Understanding
1. How much recreational screen time is recommended per day for kids your age?
2. The 20-20-20 rule says to:
3. Which activity does NOT count toward recreational screen time?