From Screen Zombies to Fort Builders: A Guide for Digital Detox
Over the summer, my kids developed a habit of spending more time on screens than I found comfortable. What began as a limited allowance slowly expanded beyond what I had intended.
Things started off well enough; I allowed 45 minutes of television each day, along with a half hour of video games after they’d completed chores. However, this time allowance gradually crept up as summer wore on. I’d come home from the store and catch them watching TV much longer than they were allowed. Or I would get busy and forget to shut the games off at the appointed time.
Sometimes they’d get downright sneaky. Last week, I woke my 9-year-old up from bed at 7:30 AM, she got dressed, and disappeared. I found her downstairs, sneaking in a quick 20 minutes of video games before she had to start schoolwork for the day. It seemed like every time I turned my head, they were slinking back to the screens.
Digital Content and the Passive Mind
Screens certainly aren’t all bad; digital media can be an excellent tool for education and entertainment. The problem is that the way the mind engages with digital media is almost entirely passive, requiring no imagination or creativity. When we are engaging with digital content, our minds become much more receptive. It is much easier to “zone out” on a screen than, say, with a book, which requires active imagination. This is especially true on social media apps like TikTok or Instagram, due to their rapid, fragmented, and algorithm-driven nature. The instant gratification and continuous stream of information can lead to “zombie scrolling” or passive media consumption, which decreases the brain’s capacity for deep focus and sustained attention.
Of course, not all digital consumption is created equal. Some digital content, like certain video games, requires a high degree of problem-solving and engagement. The degree of passivity depends on the type of content and the user’s intent. But in general, it is safe to say that overexposure to digital content has been linked to a whole host of negative outcomes (source).
Unleashing Children’s Imaginations
From a parenting perspective, what bothered me most about the scenario I outlined above was the stultification of children’s imaginative faculties—the lack of creativity. Children are tremendously creative when given the right opportunity to express their creativity. Because digital content keeps their brains titillated with a continuous stream of dopamine, it offers little incentive for children to discover their own happiness through imaginative play. Not only can this hinder the development of a child’s creative faculties, but it’s just… sad. Childhood should be a time of imagination, exploration, and creativity.
Once I realized things had gotten a bit out of hand, I cracked down. Yesterday, for example, I put my foot down and told them, “No screens today at all for anyone.” Instantly, my son turned to his younger sisters and said, “Hey, let’s go play outside.” They spent the next two hours back in the trees building a fort out of branches and old fence posts. This morning, when I woke my daughter, instead of going for the screens, she excitedly told me about the fort and how she was looking forward to working on it more this afternoon. My son walked me out to the corner of the property and showed me the first wall they had constructed, explaining his plans for building the roof. There was evident pride in his voice.
Children are just as imaginative and resourceful as ever if we just give them the space to put that imagination to work. And honestly, weaning them off the screens was difficult. It required me to be clear about expectations, treat screens as a limited leisure activity instead of a way to kill time, and simply stick to my guns.
More Encouraging Articles on Screens and Homeschooling
If you’d like to read more on this subject, we’ve published several articles about it on the Homeschool Connections blog. You might want to check out the following articles:
- How Does Screen Time Affect Toddlers?
- Why Teens Aren’t Reading Books (And How Parents Can Change That)
- Does Binge-Watching Affect Health?
- Lost in the Scroll: Homeschooling Reading Comprehension
Related Podcast Episode: Don’t Miss This!
If you’re working through screen time challenges in your home, you’ll love Episode 248 of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. Hosted by Kaitlin Zara, this episode features bestselling author and mom of six, Molly DeFrank, who shares real-life wisdom from her books Digital Detox and Mothering Boys. They discuss how to stay connected with your kids in a screen-saturated world, plus give practical tips to foster meaningful family relationships beyond the screen: Screen Time Showdown: Reconnecting with Your Kids.
In Closing
As parents, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pull of screens and the pressure to manage them perfectly. But remember, what your children need most is your presence, intention, and consistency. By standing firm with clear boundaries and fostering an environment where creativity and imagination can thrive, you’re helping your children discover a richer world beyond the screen. Even small changes can reignite their natural curiosity and bring your family closer.
What are some of your thoughts on homeschooling and screens? How do you address it in your homeschool and community? Join me and other homeschooling parents in the Homeschool Connections Facebook Group or in the HSC Community. I’d love to continue this conversation with you there.
