Use the 5 C's, not just a timer
Ask: is the content quality, is my child calm or melting down, what is this crowding out, and are we talking about it? The AAP's 5 C's turn screen rules from a daily negotiation into a shared family framework.
Make the exit predictable
Agree the endpoint before the screen goes on, give a visible countdown, and keep the off-switch boring: same words, same routine, every time. Have the next activity ready so stopping feels like switching, not losing.
Protect what screens displace
The AAP's core question is not how long but what gets crowded out: sleep, active play, reading, family meals. Keep screens out of bedrooms, off during meals, and away from the hour before bed - then relax about the rest.
Go deeper
On this shelf
- The 15-Minute Rescue: 50 screen-free activities
- The Twinkens shelf: all titles
- Frequently asked questions
Sources
