Screen Time: What Parents Need to Know

Smartphones and other electronic devices have proven so distracting for students that in September, New York City became the nation’s largest city to ban cell phone use in public schools.

The move paralleled statewide restrictions adopted by New York’s legislature last spring as part of its 2025-26 budget package. That places the state among the 34 that have enacted curbs on phones at school.

Former teacher and pastor Carlos D. Acosta is well aware of the distractions cell phones represent, which is why he encourages a phone-free environment during worship and small groups.

But the problem is broader than distractions, says the pastor of Ark of Salvation Worship Center in Oceanside, New York.

“Young people and teenagers can become so dependent on what’s posted, who posted on social media, and what they’re wearing that it causes them to struggle with self-esteem and doubt,” says Acosta, 53, the father of two children in their 20s.

“It causes them to self-isolate and causes self-doubt and stress,” Acosta adds. “Kids are constantly on their phones, even during worship services or youth group. So sometimes we encourage them to place their phones in a basket during youth group so they can enjoy a tech-free experience.”

A survey by the Pew Research Center released last year showed that 95% of U.S. teens have access to a smartphone, with about 60% using TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram.

With questionable content appearing on those and other sites, many now advise parents to pay closer attention to their children’s cell phone and online habits, and set limits on daily usage.

Excessive screen use by young people is the topic of constant conversation among child specialists, says Julie A. Pratt, national director of children's discipleship for the Assemblies of God.

Recent research shows screen time for Generation Z (ages 13 to 28) averages seven to nine hours a day. Pratt says this habit has far-reaching implications for discipleship with children, leaving them less engaged with others and more distracted.

“Many specialists refer to this as ‘The Anxious Generation’ (the title of a best-selling book),” Pratt says. “They have become used to this rapid-fire, ever-changing approach to learning because of the way many shows and spots on computers or phones have been designed.”

Many parents use devices as a “digital pacifier,” the children's discipleship director says, without recognizing their negative impact on children’s language skills, cognitive development, and critical thinking.

Even though she views much usage as harmful, Pratt isn’t an advocate of screen-free limitations. Instead, she urges parents to give kids more guidance about cell phones and the internet.

“I use the term ‘co-viewing,’” she says of parental guidelines. “That means you watch things together, engage with your children, and ask them questions. That means you’re not going to allow them unfettered access.

“I think that also means screen-free zones, like at meal times and in the bedroom. We don’t need to just hand them a phone. I personally don’t think children should have a phone before they’re 13. There’s too much to access that isn’t healthy.”

Another policy she supports is insisting devices be visible and shared only in the home’s living spaces (living room, dining room, kitchen). Pratt says that fosters accountability and requires parents to pay attention to children’s usage.

Pratt says parents need to take a defensive posture and teach preparedness to help their children know what to do when they encounter inappropriate messages or content.

“You have to know about the world in which we live,” Pratt says. “It’s that idea of being prepared; rather than being on our heels, we have to be on our toes. We have to take the posture that these things are going to happen and get in front of it.”

Acosta suggests parents establish an understanding with their children about when screen use will be permitted and when phones go out of sight, such as during family time, worship, and discipleship.

“Having boundaries early on is important,” the pastor says. “A lot of times, parents give devices to children because they’re occupied, and the children get used to that entertainment. But if parents set up controls early, that sets boundaries.”

Because of sites with poor or ineffective controls regarding age minimums and the ability to access offensive content, Acosta recommends using tools like Bark. It enables users to link devices, monitor content, block websites, and track phones’ locations. But he says a good place to start is using tools available on smartphones to control access to certain websites.

On the positive side, Acosta says parents can take advantage of limited times, such as drives to school or various events, to foster “teachable moments” through short conversations.

To facilitate brief talks, Ignite Parenting recently released its second set of “Conversation Cards.”

The cards include questions, faith-building statements, and Bible verses to help cultivate a nurturing environment at home.

“We have to take advantage of those moments when we have them,” says Acosta, a member of Ignite Parenting’s advisory board. “Something that starts with a five-minute talk can turn into 20, where laughter and memories come out.”

However, when it comes to using screens in a positive way, Pratt says it’s important to recognize technology isn’t the enemy, since it is also a powerful tool for discipleship.

“I often have this conversation with parents,” she says. “I challenge them not to allow screens to replace real connections with God, family, and our faith family, our church.

“What we understand about children is they actually do value relationships. They remember more and look to human connections more than social media influencers.”

Editor's Note: Readers can watch a discussion on digital discipleship with Acosta and Elly Marroquin, AG national director of Christian education and discipleship, here.