🧒 For Kids
Hey there! This page helps your parents figure out how much time you should spend on phones, tablets, and computers. Remember, it's important to take breaks from screens to play outside, read books, and spend time with family and friends. God wants us to enjoy many different activities!
👪 For Parents
Finding the right balance with technology can be challenging. This guide offers practical, faith-based approaches to help your family develop healthy screen habits while using digital resources like Bible Fun Land to enhance your child's spiritual growth.
"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify."
1 Corinthians 10:23Table of Contents
1. Understanding Screen Time Balance
In today's digital world, children are growing up surrounded by screens. While technology offers many benefits for learning and connection, finding a healthy balance is essential for your child's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
At Bible Fun Land, we believe digital tools like our website can be valuable for teaching biblical truths, but should be part of a balanced approach that includes many different types of activities and experiences.
Why Balance Matters
Research has shown that excessive screen time can impact:
- Sleep quality and duration
- Physical activity levels
- Social skill development
- Attention span and focus
- Family relationships and bonding time
However, quality screen time can also:
- Support learning and education
- Provide creative outlets
- Connect families across distances
- Teach valuable digital literacy skills
- Reinforce faith concepts through engaging content
Quality vs. Quantity: The type of content your child engages with is often more important than the exact amount of time spent on screens. Active, educational, and faith-building content (like Bible Fun Land) is preferable to passive entertainment.
2. A Biblical Perspective on Technology
As Christian parents, we can look to Scripture for wisdom about how to approach technology and screen time with our children.
Biblical Principles to Consider:
- Stewardship: God calls us to be good stewards of our time and resources. Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us to "make the most of every opportunity."
- Wisdom: Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "train up a child in the way he should go," which includes teaching discernment about media.
- Mindfulness: Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right" — a good standard for content choices.
- Community: We are created for relationship and fellowship. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us of the importance of meeting together.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
Colossians 3:23Technology itself is neutral — it's how we use it that matters. We can leverage digital tools like Bible Fun Land to teach God's Word and inspire faith, while being intentional about setting healthy boundaries.
3. Age-Appropriate Recommendations
Children's developmental needs change as they grow. Here are some general guidelines for different age groups:
Ages 2-5 (Preschool)
Recommended limit: 1 hour per day of high-quality content
- Co-view with your child whenever possible
- Choose interactive rather than passive content
- Use Bible Fun Land's stories and simple games to introduce biblical concepts
- Avoid screen time during meals and before bedtime
- Prioritize face-to-face interaction and physical play
Ages 6-9 (Elementary)
Recommended limit: 1-1.5 hours per day of recreational screen time
- Begin teaching media literacy skills
- Set clear boundaries about when and where screens can be used
- Use parental controls and content filters
- Balance educational screen time with physical activity
- Use Bible Fun Land's interactive Bible games and quizzes to reinforce Sunday School lessons
Ages 10-12 (Tweens)
Recommended limit: 2 hours per day of recreational screen time
- Create a family media agreement with clear rules
- Discuss online safety and privacy
- Encourage critical thinking about media messages
- Maintain screen-free zones and times
- Use Bible Fun Land's deeper content to encourage independent Bible study habits
Ages 13+ (Teens)
Recommended approach: Focus on mentoring rather than strict time limits
- Have ongoing conversations about healthy tech habits
- Model healthy media use yourself
- Discuss digital footprints and long-term consequences
- Encourage balance between online and offline activities
- Guide them to use Bible Fun Land's content as a supplement to their growing faith
Remember: These are general guidelines. Each child is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. Pray for wisdom as you determine what's best for your children.
4. Creating a Family Screen Time Plan
Having a clear plan helps establish healthy habits and expectations around screen time. Here's how to create one:
Assess Current Habits
Take note of how much time your family currently spends on screens and what types of content you consume. Notice patterns and effects on behavior, sleep, and family time.
Pray Together
Ask God for wisdom and guidance as you make decisions about technology in your home. Include your children in these prayers so they understand the spiritual foundation of your choices.
Family Meeting
Discuss the benefits and challenges of technology as a family. Listen to your children's perspectives and explain your concerns. Set goals together rather than imposing rules.
Create Guidelines
Develop clear, specific rules about when, where, and how screens can be used. Establish screen-free zones (like bedrooms) and screen-free times (like during meals or before bedtime).
Set Up Accountability
Decide on appropriate consequences for breaking rules and rewards for following them. Consider using parental controls or screen time management apps to help enforce limits.
Review and Adjust
Revisit your plan regularly to see what's working and what isn't. Be willing to make changes as your children grow and their needs evolve.
Sample Family Screen Time Plan
Screen-Free Times:
- During family meals
- One hour before bedtime
- Sunday mornings before and during church
- Weekly family game night
Screen-Free Zones:
- Bedrooms
- Dining table
- In the car (except on long trips)
Content Guidelines:
- Parents approve all apps and websites
- Content should align with our family's Christian values
- Balance entertainment with educational content
- Bible Fun Land and similar faith-building content is encouraged
5. Screen-Free Activities
An important part of creating a healthy balance is having plenty of engaging alternatives to screen time. Here are some faith-building activities your family can enjoy together:
Bible Story Theater
Act out favorite Bible stories using simple props and costumes. Take turns playing different characters and discussing the lessons afterward.
Nature Prayer Walk
Go on a walk together and look for God's creation. Stop to pray and thank God for the beautiful things you see along the way.
Scripture Art
Choose a favorite Bible verse and create artwork inspired by it using paint, crayons, or collage materials.
Bible Charades
Write down names of Bible characters or stories on slips of paper. Take turns acting them out while others guess.
Bible Baking
Make bread, cookies, or other treats mentioned in the Bible. Discuss the stories connected to these foods while you bake.
Encouragement Notes
Write kind notes with Bible verses to family members, friends, or neighbors who might need encouragement.
Tips for Success
- Keep a "boredom buster" list of screen-free activities visible in your home
- Have supplies for creative activities easily accessible
- Schedule regular family activities that don't involve screens
- Be fully present during screen-free time (parents too!)
- Use transition warnings to help children move from screen time to other activities
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Using screens as rewards or punishments, which can increase their perceived value
- Having inconsistent rules that create confusion
- Focusing only on time limits without addressing content quality
- Not modeling healthy screen habits yourself
- Making screen time seem more special than other activities
6. Digital Discipleship
While managing screen time is important, we can also intentionally use digital tools to nurture our children's faith. Here's how to practice "digital discipleship":
Intentional Selection
Choose faith-building digital content like Bible Fun Land that aligns with your family's values and reinforces biblical teaching. Preview content before sharing it with your children.
Active Engagement
Don't just hand over a device. Engage with digital faith content alongside your child whenever possible. Ask questions, discuss lessons, and connect the content to daily life.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Deuteronomy 11:18-19Digital Tools for Faith Growth
- Bible Apps: Age-appropriate Bible apps with daily readings or devotionals
- Family Devotional Platforms: Online resources for family worship times
- Prayer Trackers: Apps that help record and remember prayer requests
- Christian Music Services: Curated playlists of worship and children's songs
- Bible Fun Land: Interactive games and activities that teach Bible stories and values
Critical Thinking Skills
Help your children evaluate all media through a biblical lens by asking questions like:
- "What message is this sending about what's important?"
- "How does this compare to what the Bible teaches us?"
- "What values are being promoted here?"
- "How might God view this content?"
Remember: Digital tools are supplements to, not substitutes for, your role in discipling your children. The most important spiritual influence in your child's life is you!
7. Printable Resources & Tools
To help implement the ideas in this guide, we've created several resources you can download, print, and use with your family:
Family Media Agreement
A customizable contract for setting clear expectations around screen use for all family members.
Screen Time Tracker
A fun chart for children to track their daily screen time and screen-free activities.
Screen-Free Activity Cards
Printable cards with 50 faith-building activities for when children say "I'm bored!"
Media Discernment Guide
A tool to help older children evaluate the media they consume from a biblical perspective.
Recommended Apps for Parents
These tools can help you monitor and manage your family's screen time:
- Circle Home Plus: Comprehensive parental controls for all devices on your home network
- Bark: Monitors social media, text messages, and email for concerning content
- Our Pact: Allows remote scheduling and controlling of app access
- Covenant Eyes: Accountability and filtering software with a focus on Christian values
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17Final Thoughts
Remember that finding the right screen time balance is a journey, not a destination. Stay flexible, extend grace to yourself and your children, and keep the conversation open. With prayer, intentionality, and these practical tools, you can help your family develop a healthy relationship with technology while nurturing their faith.
If you have questions or need additional support, please contact us at Bible Fun Land. We're here to partner with you in raising children who love God and use technology wisely.