How to Handle Screen Time with Your Child or Teen: A Psychologist’s Guide
Is screen time becoming a battle in your home? Whether it’s gaming, social media, or endless YouTube videos, many parents struggle to set healthy limits. At New Horizons Psychology, our child and teen therapists work with families across Halton—including Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga—to help create balance and reduce screen-related stress.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to approach screen time from a psychological perspective, including tips for improving communication, recognizing red flags, and supporting your child’s mental health.
What Counts as Screen Time?
Screen time includes any activity done on a screen:
Watching TV or Netflix
Playing video or app games
Scrolling on social media
Using smartphones or tablets
Browsing YouTube or other video platforms
It’s not just about hours—it’s about how and why screens are being used.
Finding a Healthy Balance
In therapy, we often help parents look beyond simply limiting hours. Instead, we ask:
Is your child getting enough physical activity?
Do they have time for in-person social interaction and family connection?
Are they showing signs of stress, poor sleep, or slipping grades?
For some kids, screen time is a way to unwind after a busy day of school, extracurriculars, or social demands. In those cases, a bit of downtime might be well-earned. For others, it may be a sign of emotional avoidance, overstimulation, or lack of boundaries.
Every family is different—and your screen time plan should reflect that.
When ADHD or ASD Is Involved
Children and teens with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face unique screen time challenges. Our ADHD child therapists regularly support kids who struggle with:
Time awareness
Impulse control
Self-regulation
Emotional dependency on screen stimulation
What may look like “defiance” is often rooted in neurological difficulty. Our role as child psychologists is to help both parents and children understand the “why” behind the behaviour—and build tools that support change.
Communication & Conflict: How We Help
Many families come to us after repeated arguments, tantrums, or sneaky behaviour involving devices. Sometimes, communication has broken down altogether.
In these cases, our child and parenting therapists help:
Rebuild healthy dialogue
Facilitate calm agreements
Develop a Family Technology Use Contract
Support mutual respect between parents and children
When kids feel heard and understood, they’re far more likely to cooperate—even with something as tempting as a phone.
Digital Citizenship & Social Media
With older children and teens, we also discuss topics like:
Digital citizenship
Online safety
Cyberbullying
Inappropriate content exposure
Healthy self-image on social media
These are crucial conversations in today’s connected world. Our teen therapists and psychologists provide safe, judgment-free spaces to explore these challenges.
Screen Time Guidelines by Age
According to the Canadian Pediatric Society:
Ages 2–5: Less than 1 hour per day of high-quality, supervised screen time
Ages 5–17: Less than 2 hours per day, with the balance between screens, physical activity, sleep, and in-person social time
If your child consistently exceeds these guidelines, it may be time to revisit routines and possibly seek support from a child mental health therapist.
How We Can Support Your Family
At New Horizons Psychology, we take a holistic approach. Our child therapists and psychologists in Oakville look at:
The child’s individual needs
The family’s communication style and values
Co-occurring challenges like anxiety, low self-esteem, or ADHD
Parent-child relationships and routines
We’re here to help families co-create healthy boundaries where everyone feels respected—and your child or teen is supported in both structure and emotional well-being.
Need Help with Screen Time or Behaviour?
If screen time struggles are affecting your child’s mood, schoolwork, or family peace, you’re not alone. Our child psychologists and therapists in Halton offer support for:
Screen time issues
ADHD therapy for children and teens
Child anxiety therapy
Child behaviour therapy
Parenting counselling
Teen depression, anxiety, and self-esteem
Serving Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, and the Halton region.
Let’s work together to create a healthier balance for your family.
