Child and adolescent psychiatrist recommends gradual reduction in children’s screen use to ease the transition back to school, highlighting the importance of organised daily routines and face-to-face interactions.
Child and adolescent psychiatry specialist Canan Ince Borekci has urged families not to ban children’s technology use abruptly when school starts, arguing that a gradual reduction is more likely to help them settle back into term-time routines after the summer holidays. Speaking through Demirören Haber Ajansı, Borekci said the key issue is not only how long children spend online, but how much of their day is organised around screens.
Borekci said summer can push social media and digital content deeper into children’s daily lives, making the return to school harder because classroom life demands sustained attention, patience and the ability to work without constant stimulation. She advised parents to begin by limiting device use at the start and end of the day, while replacing screen time with more face-to-face time, play, reading, exercise and family interaction.
Her advice fits broader guidance from child health experts in the United States. CBS News Baltimore reported that specialists recommend easing screen habits before the first day of school rather than trying to impose a sudden reset. UCLA Health has also supported school cellphone restrictions, saying they may improve learning conditions, social development and mental health.
A 2024 review in Pediatrics, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that cutting back on digital media, including social platforms, may support well-being. Separate Pew Research Centre data show how common the challenge has become: most U.S. teenagers now have a smartphone, and many say they spend too much time on it, even if fewer have taken steps to reduce their use.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
