Girl sitting in bed playing on ipad

Last Updated on March 1, 2025

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Our kids and screen time: It seems to be a constant topic of discussion for parents these days as we go back and forth on how much time in front of screens is actually healthy for our kids.

For Christian parents, the great screen time debate takes on a whole new meaning because we’re also tryin to help our kids live by God’s Word. So how do we make screen time count and point our kids to Christian values instead of just the things of this world?

Here are 5 genius screen time ideas that you may want to adapt for your Christian family.

5 ideas for screen time family rules

Last year for our family gift for Christmas, we welcomed home a brand new baby Nintendo Switch.  But it very quickly became the only thing the kids cared about, and we knew something had to change.

Have you been there? Have you brought technology and screen use to your family and ever wished you could revoke privileges and go straight back?

Whether you’re raising a teen who has their first cell phone and access to social media or a toddler who is started to dabble in screen time of their own, there are a few key ways that you can be a tech-wise family that uses screen-time as a way to grow spiritually, too!

1. Prioritize value and faith-focused entertainment.

There’s no doubt about it -what we fill our minds with impacts what flows out of our hearts! In the same way, when our kids watch shows that don’t reflect our values, it’s almost impossible for those things to not spill over in other areas of their lives. 

But what if screen time could be used as a tool to help our kids make wise choices, and to challenge them in their faith in fun ways?

Over the years, it’s often been hard to find quality faith-based entertainment to keep our kids engaged. But I really do feel like there are more options than ever right now for Christian families.

One show we’re really loving right now is a new show from the co-creator of Veggie Tales called The Dead Sea Squirrels. For kids in that 6-10 year old age range, this animated show exclusively on Minno has the perfect blend of absolutely silly humor, heartwarming storylines and a great lesson in every episode. It’s fun for the entire family to watch, but I will say that my 7 year old son has been especially obsessed.

You can check out The Dead Sea Squirrels trailer, and watch episodes with a free 7-day Minno subscription right here. 

WATCH THE SHOW

2. Take a family (screen) vacation

One thing I’m learning is that although screen-free parenting can feel scary at first, the more often you do it, the easier it gets. Between our jobs, social media, communicating with family and friends and using it for entertainment, it can be so easy to wake up and realize we’re living our entire lives in front of a screen! 

One of the most counter cultural and BEST things I think we can do for our families in this digital age is take regular screen vacations.

Here are 4 types of screen-free vacations you can plan with your family

  1. Screen-free Sabbaths: Every Sunday, declare your home a screen-free zone for the day. Cell phones go off or are put in a basement. Tv’s and computers stay shut down. Instead, spend the day making memories with your family, spending time outdoors, playing board games, reading books, or catching up with the people you love.
  2. Social media sabbatical: Why not encourage everyone in the family to take 30 days away from social media as a whole? (This is also a great idea for Lent!) Log out of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or anything else you use regularly on all of your devices and focus on contacting family and friends the old fashioned way – with a phone call or by making a plan to get together face to face.
  3. A digital-free vacation: Why not take a real trip with your family where screens are not invited? Try staying at a cabin for a long weekend without a tv. Head to the beach and leave your cell phones in your bag – only to be used for emergencies. This one takes a little planning, especially if you have young kids and a long drive, but the memories you make together without the distractions of the outside world you’ll never forget.
  4. Create a screen-free challenge: Choose a day with your family to compete in a screen-free challenge. Whoever can stay off ALL screens (phone, computer, tablet, tv) for the longest wins some sort of prize. If you have a competitive family that loves games, I highly recommend.

3. Develop clear boundary lines

As parents, it’s our job to set the rules and boundary lines for where (and how) screens get used in our family. Our kids are young now, so we’re definitely still figuring this out as we go. But here are some great ideas we’ve heard from friends and family:

  • Device-free meals where everyone practices being present and engaging in conversation.
  • Create a “phone hotel” – a charging station in a common area where devices sleep overnight, outside of bedrooms!
  • Come up with “golden hours” when screens are turned off (like the first/last hour of the day) for prayer, Bible reading, or family time.
  • Practice “earned screen time” where responsibilities and family participation come before entertainment screen use.
  • Create tech-free zones in your home, like the dining room or certain living areas.

Have any other great ideas for screen boundaries that you’ve tried with your family? We’d love to hear about them!

4. Know your kids

What’s the right age for your teen to have their own smartphone? I think the hard but true answer is that every kid is different! The same goes for tablet usage for younger kids. And how much tv should a 3-year-old really watch? We can read all the studies in the world on these things, but at the end of the day, the BEST source of wisdom we have access to is the wisdom we get from our Creator.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”  – Proverbs 2:6

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

If you’re unsure of what digital influences to allow in your home and when, ask God to give you wisdom. Spend time in His Word, and ask Him to show you what your kids really need and when. He’s a good God, and He will do it.

5. Stay involved!

When it comes to technology and our families, the most important thing of all is that we stay involved.

Don’t just throw your 14-year-old an iPhone and expect them to be off to the races. The reality is our kids are still developing in their minds, body and spirit. They need our wisdom and our direction and this is especially true when there are so many other outside influences coming their way.

So how do we keep tabs on what our kids do on their devices and how it is affecting them?

  1. Stay in the room. For our younger kids no tablets get used unless we’re in the room with them. Cell phones will stay out of bedrooms and in public spaces only.
  2. Consider implementing content filtering software aligned with family values while having open discussions about why certain content isn’t appropriate.
  3. Use a family media plan or program with age-appropriate time limits and content guidelines that everyone helps develop.
  4. Decide on a regular a device check-in system for accountability where you check on your child’s apps and usage.

Last but not least, remember that your kids will model what they see! If you don’t have healthy boundaries set up around your digital usage and screen time – your kids won’t either.

This is your challenge to model healthy boundaries by following the same rules you set for your children regarding screen use. You’ll be glad you did.