Screens and Summer: Hitting the Reset Button to Combat Zoom Fatigue
With COVID-19 requiring a months-long shift to fully online school, work, and social interactions for many people, children and adults alike are experiencing screen fatigue from all this tech time.
As summer now approaches, school demands will generally be relaxed — but camps and other activities may be going virtual or reduced in what they offer in person. And work will still continue for most adults. Even so, now is an opportune time to reset with some realistic summertime parameters for Zoom, FaceTime, and other screen-centered activities. Consider these tips:
Schedule Breaks, and Stick to Them — Whether it’s screen-free Saturdays, device-free dinners, or a nightly tech curfew, find a dedicated time for everyone in the family to put the screens away. Even 1 hour a day can help everyone recharge. Schedule these at a time when it’s realistic for your family’s work and other commitments so you don’t set yourself up for failure. After months of heavy usage, everyone in the family may be more receptive than they were in the past.
Revisit Family Technology Plans and Ideals — Many families had informal or formal screen time rules in place before the pandemic began. If these were (understandably) relaxed over the past few months, consider reflecting as a family about what worked and what didn’t. How did the extra time online make everyone feel (anxious, tired, connected)? Are there new quarantine traditions you want to keep, like weekly FaceTime chats with grandparents or nightly family dinners? Discuss the pros and cons — and consider adopting new rules that fit your family’s circumstances well.
Make Online Time Count — Screen time isn’t all bad; in fact, it can be a tool for not only connection but also creation. Many kids participated in online hobby classes while at home and/or picked up new skills from video tutorials — things they may have never tried or even considered before. Encourage kids to strive for connection and creation, rather than passive consumption (talk about the difference).
Happy Summer!
