Managing Screen Time For Neurodivergent Children

You should decide how much screen time your child can have across their devices each day. You can set limits by time of day, such as 30 minutes of screen time in the morning and 1 hour after school or dinner. You should be clear and consistent, so your child knows what to expect. This helps keep screen use under control.

By setting daily limits and specific times of day to allow screen time, you can help your child understand when screen time is okay and when it's not. Setting a regular routine for screen time will help children to remain focused and calm.

Not all screen time is the same. Think about what the device is and what it is used for when setting limits; you may allow more time on devices used for homework than on devices used for gaming. Across your devices, look for age-specific apps and content. App stores have age guidelines, and streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ display age ratings for their content. Watching or playing together can also help you understand what your child is using their devices for.

Children copy what they see, particularly when it comes to technology. Use screen time limits and routines to show them that screens aren’t the most important thing. Set time to talk to each other, play board games, go for a walk, or read together. If the adults in your house use screens in a balanced way, your child is more likely to do the same.

To help support limits and routines around screen time,, it is a good idea to choose areas of your house where screens aren’t allowed; this could be the lounge, dinner table, or bedrooms. This encourages taking breaks from screens and supports time together without devices. Keeping screens out of the bedroom can encourage relaxation and help support healthy sleep routines; using devices in bed and before sleeping can interfere with sleep cycles.

Encouraging traditional activities such as playing with toys or playing outside, reading, drawing, helping with cooking, or playing board games promotes fun without technology and supports social skills, motor skills, attention span, and overall health.

You can use the tools on devices to set screen time limits; these often require a passcode change, so you can set limits your child cannot change. These features are normally found in the device's settings and are called things such as ‘parental controls’, ‘screen time and limits’, or ‘digital wellbeing’. If you are unsure where they are, you can Google something such as ‘set Nintendo Switch screen time ’, and there will be a guide on how to set this on each device you search.

You can talk to your child about their experiences on their devices and their favourite games, videos, or apps. You can use this to support the limits and routines for screen time and have open conversations about online experiences and safety. These conversations can also help you understand their online world and what they use their devices for.

It is important to remember that managing screen time limits and routines is not about stopping screen use or saying no to screens; it is about finding a healthy balance. By setting clear limits and routines for devices, encouraging and supporting traditional activities, and maintaining open communication with your child, you support healthy habits and routines.

If you would like to find more support and advice on devices, supporting online safety and digital wellbeing, you can visit Childnet International, Internet Matters, and the NSPCC’s online safety hub, which all offer simple, practical advice for parents and carers, even if you’re not confident with technology.

Download our Day-To-Day SEN Support Pack for more information, advice and guidance.