Parents guide to healthy screen time

Unplug and Play is an easy-to-follow guide designed for parents who want to break screen addiction and establish healthy technology habits for their 1 to 5-year-olds.

A Parent's Guide to Conquering Screen Addiction

Discover the secrets to reducing screen-time battles by leaning into trust, connection, and proven engagement techniques to create meaningful family moments beyond the screen.

    • Equip parents with practical strategies to reduce and manage their children's screen time effectively.

    • Provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the challenges of screen addiction and establish healthy boundaries.

    • Empower parents to foster a love for real-world experiences and activities in their children.

    • Offer insights into the long-term negative effects of excessive screen time on children's development.

  • This this book is for you if:

    • Your child is on the screen for more than 1 hour a day

    • Ending to screentime is often a conflict or a tantrum

    • Your child chooses screentime over family time and activities

    • Your child has mood swings after screen time

Screenwise Parenting: Raising Digital Natives with Healthy Habits from Day One

It is never too early to set the right foundations for your child’s screen use. Teach your children how to be digital natives without falling pray to excessive screen-time. Act today to prevent negative effects of overconsumption of technology so many parents are facing.

Printable companion resources

Get all the available resources and worksheets from Unplug and Play: A Parent’s Guide to Reducing Audible Companion.

Imagine your child not asking for more screen time.

Personalized consultation

Book a FREE personalized consultation with Anahid to discuss your concerns about your young children's screentime.

Long term consequences of screen addiction

Developmental Delays

Excessive screen time in early childhood can hinder language and cognitive development, leading to delays in critical skills necessary for academic success.

Increased ADHD Risk

High levels of screen exposure are linked to a heightened risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to the overstimulation of the developing brain.

Strained Family Relationships

Heavy screen use can weaken family bonds, reducing the quality and quantity of family interactions and shared activities crucial for emotional connection.

Mental Health Concerns

Prolonged screen time is associated with an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues due to reduced face-to-face interactions and the negative impact of online content.

Physical Health Complications

Sedentary behavior from extended screen use contributes to obesity, sleep problems, and poor posture, posing significant long-term health risks for children.

Social Isolation

Excessive screen use can lead to social isolation, as children may prioritize virtual interactions over real-world relationships, impairing their social skills and emotional well-being.

  • Psychological impacts of "screen time" and "green time for children

    Excessive screen time effect on youth

    FINDINGS

    Excessive screen time in youth is significantly linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Parents should know that limiting screen time to no more than two hours a day and encouraging at least one hour of physical activity can greatly enhance their children's mental well-being​

    Study link

    SpringerLink

    The University of Queensland

  • Structural differences in brain

    FINDINGS

    Research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital indicates that higher screen usage in young children is linked to structural differences in brain regions related to visual processing, memory, and attention, which underscores the need for parents to limit screen time and encourage alternative activities.

    Research Horizons

  • Poor mental health outcomes

    FINDINGS

    BMJ Open highlights consistent evidence showing an association between screen time and increased adiposity, poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression, and negative impacts on sleep and cognitive development​ on children.

    BMJ Open

  • Digital devices can interfere with everything from sleep to creativity

    FINDINGS

    Harvard Medical School highlights how digital devices can interfere with essential aspects of children's health, such as sleep and creativity. Pediatrician Michael Rich emphasizes that while the content on screens can enhance learning, it often provides "impoverished" stimulation compared to real-world experiences, negatively affecting brain development and sleep patterns​

    Screen time study link

  • Nearsightedness and screentime

    FINDINGS

    This comprehensive study reviewed over 3,000 articles and found that high levels of screen time are associated with nearly a 30% increased risk of developing myopia, with this risk rising to almost 80% when excessive computer screen time is included. This research highlights the significant impact of digital device use on children's eye health, emphasizing the need for managing screen time to reduce the risk of myopia​

    Lancet Digital Healh

Correlation Between Excessive Screen Time and Negative Consequences in Young Children

The bar chart titled 'Correlation Between Excessive Screen Time and Negative Consequences in Young Children' visualizes the potential risks associated with excessive screen time in young children. It highlights the strong correlation with reduced family time and delayed development, particularly in children under two years old. The chart also emphasizes the moderate correlation with myopia and physical health issues, and the weaker association with ADHD symptoms and mental health issues.

Hi! My name is Anahid Sargsyan and I’m on a mission to help parents like me who used to feel guilt and hopelessness around their kids screentime with practice, step-by-step guide that worked for us.

Helping kids get past their screen addiction into a more balanced and healthy relationship is my passion and for the last few years I’ve written a book, workshops and done whatever I could to get the word out. Too much screentime is bad for your kids health and development, let’s break the cycle together.

Easy to follow instructions from one parent to another

  • Gain insights from another parent who's been there. "Unplug and Play" offers real-world examples and personal experiences to help you navigate the challenges of reducing screen time for your children.

  • Benefit from easy-to-follow instructions tailored for busy parents. The book breaks down the process into manageable steps, making it less overwhelming and more actionable.

  • Discover strategies not just for reducing screen time temporarily but for making lasting changes. Learn how to develop healthier digital habits that will benefit your entire family.

  • Feel supported with advice that stems from a community-minded approach, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement and consistent household rules.

  • Find age-appropriate tips and techniques to engage your child in more meaningful activities beyond the screen.

  • My child is too attached to screens, It's difficult for me to say no to screen time when my child asks, I feel my child is negatively affected by too much screen time

    Laurie Payton

  • My child and I fight about screen time all the time

    Jamie Kokot

  • My child watches screens while eating and i worry about the negative consequences of excessive screentime on my child.

    Lindsey Beumer

  • Screen-time and it's consequences is a huge issue in my household.

    Keith Finley