Screens have been a part of life for today’s teens practically since they were born. Many parents put a show on for their young children to watch while they make dinner or pass them a phone or tablet to use when they get bored. And for most kids, the question isn’t if they get their own phone, it’s when.
Using screens and technology isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Screens are, for most Americans, a required part of participating in society. This includes work, socializing and entertainment,” said Brenner Freeman, MD, a psychiatrist with Banner Health. “Teens need to learn how to have a healthy relationship with screens.”
Finding the right balance between screen time and outdoor activities is more important than ever — especially for teenagers. “This isn't a black-and-white issue where technology is all bad and nature is all good. Both play valuable roles,” Dr. Freeman said.
Benefits and challenges of screen time
Technology has many benefits for teenagers. They use it for homework and learning, socializing with friends and family and entertainment. “More than ever, kids’ screens are their main connection with their peers and the way they develop a healthy and successful future,” Dr. Freeman said.
However, too much screen time can lead to physical, emotional and social underdevelopment. “Screen time is often a low-quality time-filler that ends up preventing kids from developing normally in their body, mind and soul,” Dr. Freeman said. For example:
- Nighttime screen use can disrupt sleep.
- Too much social media use is tied to worse mental health in teens, especially girls.
- Using screens can cause eye strain, headaches and poor posture.
- Time on screens leaves less time for in-person interactions and hobbies.
“Apps and games are programmed to take as much attention as possible from us, and even the wisest teens need capable and firm parents protecting them from the business interests of large corporations,” Dr. Freeman said.
Why green time is important for teens
“We are biologically programmed to do best outdoors. Being outside builds resilience, tolerance for distress, patience and an appreciation for the world that supports life,” Dr. Freeman said.
- Natural light helps regulate hormones, sleep quality and body rhythms.
- Physical movement improves the ability to assess risk, brain development, the mind/body connection, dexterity, strength and health.
- Social interactions outside are usually less programmatic and more creative and spontaneous. Teens can build friendships with hiking, sports or meetups in parks.
- Outdoor activity improves mental health, reduces stress, improves mood and may improve academic performance and focus.
Ways to help teens manage screen time
As your child moves from early childhood to adolescence, your role as an adult shifts from manager to consultant. Collaborating with your teen can help maintain good relationships.
“Adults must pick their battles carefully and invest in the relationship ahead of time so teens will respect boundaries when they need to be enforced,” Dr. Freeman said. Investing in the relationship means things like:
- Placing frequent compliments to even out criticisms
- Having conversations around the dinner table
- Active listening
- Spending quality time together
With boundaries, you create limits on screen time that match what your family needs. You may want to use parental controls and apps to track screen time. “Kids need monitoring on screens just like they need a driver’s permit before getting a license,” Dr. Freeman said. “Unlimited privacy is not a right. It is a privilege earned over time through trustworthy behavior.”
Making green time appealing
Remember that teens identify with and take cues from the adults in their life — even their parents — so you should model healthy outdoor behavior.
“The most important relationships for teens are not necessarily with their friends. It is with adults — not only parents, but teachers, family and other mentors,” Dr. Freeman said. He recommends:
- Modeling good behavior with screens and outdoor time
- Building networks of other adults who model good behavior
- Developing a relationship with your teen that fosters trust, fairness and confidence
“Getting kids outside and off of screens will go much easier if these steps are in place first,” he said.
What should your teen do outdoors? “The best outdoor activity is the one your kid is willing to do at that moment, which can change day to day,” Dr. Freeman said. You can help by making it easier for your teen to do outdoor activities:
- Provide gear they need and help them get where they need to be.
- Have outdoor time be a family requirement so teens don’t feel singled out.
- Create family traditions like weekend park outings or nature walks.
- Connect with other parents or teen groups to get kids together outdoors in fun ways.
- Encourage your teen to try different activities to find things they enjoy. They may like sports, hiking, gardening, skateboarding, soccer, biking, kayaking, camping or photography.
Your teen may also find outdoor time more attractive if it’s combined with technology. For example, use fitness trackers, geocaching apps or bird-watching guides to blend screen time with outdoor activities.
“Start with small easy wins and pace yourself and your teen. The most reliable habit change is small, incremental habit change,” Dr. Freeman said.
Watch for signs of imbalance
“Signs of too much screen time are relatively straightforward. Look out for unhealthy changes in sleep patterns, mood or school performance,” Dr. Freeman said. A teen may complain about eye strain or feeling tired, avoid outdoor activities or not want to socialize in real life.
If you notice any warning signs, create a structured plan to reintroduce balance. “If a teen gets trapped in unhealthy screen-use patterns, they may struggle to not only change them themselves, but even to see the problem to begin with. Teens will often require a parent’s help to undo unhealthy screen use,” Dr. Freeman said.
The bottom line
Balancing screen time with outdoor activities isn’t always easy, but small, consistent steps can make a big difference. You can encourage your teenager to spend more time outdoors without giving up screen time. That way, they can get the most benefits from both the outdoor world and the connections and information they get from technology.
If you have concerns about your teen’s screen time, green time or mental health, connect with your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health for guidance.
