Thursday, October 1, 2026
Recently there has been a lot of conversation about the amount of time children spend on screens. Families, educators and communities are asking thoughtful questions about how to help children benefit from technology while also protecting time for play, creativity, friendship, rest and real-life experiences.
In Valley Stream UFSD 13, our districtwide Technology Committee will be exploring this important issue, and considering how we can balance the best uses of instructional technology with age- and developmentally appropriate device use at school.
Parents and caregivers may want to reflect on this question as it relates to their own children’s lives outside school. Many of us can remember a time when the internet wasn’t in our pocket, and childhood included more built-in opportunities to wander, wonder, play, create and simply be. This isn’t about judging anyone’s choices. It’s about noticing the small moments that can get squeezed out when screens fill every quiet space.
How often does my child go outside? Read quietly alone? Play in person with other children? Practice an instrument? Color or make something? Work independently on a hobby? Talk with friends without the internet in between? Those questions can help us think about the experiences we want children to have.
There is value in letting children be bored from time to time. Boredom isn’t always something to fix immediately. When children have unstructured time, they often begin to invent games, solve problems, daydream, draw, build, read, or notice the world around them. Quiet stretches can support creativity and independence in ways that constant entertainment cannot.
Children grow when they are trusted with age-appropriate independence. That independence may look different for every family and every child. For one child, it may mean walking to a neighbor’s house. For another, it may mean playing outside within agreed-on boundaries. Children may enjoy helping prepare a simple meal, caring for a pet, or taking on another small responsibility without an adult stepping in right away. These experiences teach children confidence and good judgment.
If you’re worried about letting your child be more independent outside your home, that caution is understandable. Families can start small and build comfort over time. You might use walkie-talkies or a family phone without internet access, agree on clear boundaries, set a return time, and make a plan for emergencies. Role-playing simple scenarios can help children know what to do if they need help.
None of this requires a dramatic change or a perfect plan. For many families, the most realistic approach may be to start with one small adjustment: a device-free hour, a walk after dinner, a library visit, a backyard game, a puzzle on the table, or an agreement that phones stay inside while children play outside. When devices are put aside, families also create more space for conversation by asking simple questions, sharing ideas, making observations, and helping children build language and vocabulary through everyday moments. Small shifts can open the door to bigger changes over time.
The summer months are a wonderful time to think about this topic and consider whether a small change may benefit your child. Simply going outside in warm weather can lift our spirits. We take a deep breath, slow down, and feel the warmth of the sun on our faces. We see neighbors walking dogs, tending gardens, gathering in parks, cheering at games and enjoying one another’s company. Children notice those rhythms, too. They see that the world is bigger than a screen, and that connection is often right outside the door.
Screens are part of our children’s world, and for many families they are useful tools for learning, communication, entertainment, and even a little peace during a busy day. The goal doesn’t have to be removing them altogether. Instead, summer gives us a natural opportunity to pause, experiment, and make room for other experiences, too. A little more sunlight, conversation, movement, boredom, responsibility and play may be a gift our children carry with them long after summer ends.
Judith A. LaRocca, Ed.D., is superintendent of Valley Stream Union Free School District 13.
