As families prepare for the new school year, health professionals are urging parents to pay attention to their children’s social media use. August is recognized as National Back to School Month, a time when routines are established to support students’ return to class.
Kimberly Frodl, MD, a Family Medicine Physician with Aspirus Health, notes that managing screen time is an important part of these routines. “Just like everything, too much is a bad thing,” Dr. Frodl said. “Screen use late at night can make it harder to fall asleep and impact how well kids perform in school.”
Dr. Frodl explained that while social media helps young people connect with others, excessive use may disrupt sleep patterns, reduce attention span, and affect overall well-being. She suggests parents set guidelines such as keeping devices away during meals, turning off screens an hour or two before bedtime, and charging phones outside bedrooms overnight.
Parents are also encouraged to monitor for signs like declining grades or withdrawal from activities that could indicate unhealthy screen habits.
In addition to rules about device use, Dr. Frodl emphasizes parental behavior: “Our kids watch us. They get their cues from us,” she said. “When adults are mindful of their own screen use, it sets the tone for the whole household.”
Aspirus Health recommends using the weeks before school starts as an opportunity for families to review technology habits and encourage open conversations about balancing online activity with other aspects of life.
