Screen-time & Sleep Basics • Black Girl Magic Day
Black Girl Magic Day Parent Resources

Screen-time & Sleep Basics

Right-size tech. Protect sleep. Keep vibes balanced.

Sleep Screen Time Routines
Age-Aligned Guardrails
  • Ages 2–5: ~1 hour/day, co-view when possible.
  • Ages 6–10: 1–2 hours/day; prioritize creative/learning content.
  • Ages 11–13: 2–3 hours/day; disable autoplay & curate feeds.
  • Ages 14+: Align time with goals (school, sports, arts, rest).
  • Anchor screens after core tasks: homework • chores • movement.
Pro move: Make a simple family media plan—clear daily caps + weekend flex.
Sleep-First Playbook
  • No screens 60–90 minutes before bed; charge devices outside bedrooms.
  • Evening blue-light filters; dark mode on by default.
  • Consistent lights-out/wake times (±30 minutes), even on weekends.
  • Wind-down stack: warm shower → journaling → quiet music/reading.
Signals: Mood dips, AM headaches, or weekend “sleep binges” often mean sleep debt.
Healthy Digital Habits
  • Set “tech zones” in common areas to keep usage visible.
  • Default to private accounts; review followers monthly.
  • Turn off autoplay; batch notifications into scheduled windows.
  • Model it: adults park phones during meals and conversations.
Tooling (Optional)
  • Use device screen-time settings for app caps & downtime.
  • Focus modes for homework and bedtime.
  • Shared family calendar for bedtime, activities, and check-ins.
Keep it simple: Pick one tool, review weekly, iterate.
Next: When to Get Professional Help
© Black Girl Magic Day • Parent Resources