How does video viewing fit into your teen’s overall well-being? While research suggests there’s no universal “safe” or “unsafe” amount of screen time, it’s helpful to consider whether your teen is viewing excessively and how video viewing affects your teen’s daily life and activities. The key is looking at the bigger picture of their development and engagement with life.

Consider these aspects of well-being:

• Time for essential activities: Are they getting enough sleep? Making time for physical activity? Maintaining in-person connections?
• Academic engagement: Can they focus on schoolwork when needed? Are they managing their responsibilities?
• Physical well-being: Watch for patterns of headaches, eye strain, or changes in eating or sleep habits.
• Emotional health: Notice if they seem increasingly anxious, withdrawn, or have trouble regulating emotions.

It’s important to remember that increased screen time might be a response to other challenges in a teen’s life—like family stress, social concerns, or academic pressure—rather than the primary issue. Research suggests that understanding the context of increased viewing can help identify the real support teens need.

Evidence suggests that clear boundaries around video viewing can support positive outcomes in multiple areas of teens’ lives, including sleep, academic performance, and social relationships. The key is approaching these boundaries as collaborative agreements rather than rigid rules.

Creating effective boundaries works best when focused on supporting your teen’s overall well-being rather than simply restricting screen time. Consider what you ultimately want to protect or encourage—whether that’s family dinner conversations, adequate sleep, or time for other activities.

Each teen has unique needs and circumstances. The most effective boundaries are those that consider your specific teen’s developmental stage, interests, and potential sensitivities.

Today’s teens naturally move between digital and in-person spaces as part of their social world. Many feel pressure to stay continuously engaged online, worried they’ll miss important social connections or conversations. This pressure can make it particularly challenging to step away from screens, even when teens themselves feel uncomfortable about their viewing habits.

Research offers some reassuring insights: The heightened social pressure teens feel is a normal part of adolescent development, not a permanent state. During this period, parents can help teens build resilience and self-awareness. Studies show that teens who manage to limit their screen time often experience unexpected benefits—including less anxiety, reduced feelings of loneliness, and, surprisingly, less fear of missing out. The goal isn’t to eliminate online experiences but to help teens develop skills for making conscious choices about their time and attention.

How To Have Productive Conversations About Video Content

Research shows that having thoughtful, ongoing conversations about video content—rather than staying silent or lecturing—helps teens develop critical thinking skills and healthier viewing habits.