Summer has arrived, bringing with it exam season for families with teenagers. As studying and research increasingly shift online, more screen time is inevitable. Balancing this screen time to ensure it aids rather than hinders productivity and sleep can be challenging for both parents and children.
To address these challenges, throughout the year, The Family Chat campaign in collaboration with Tesco Mobile aims to facilitate open discussions within families about online safety. Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, a mother of three boys aged seven to 11, engages with parents and children to tackle their online concerns and explores how Tesco Mobile’s online resources can offer support.
The current focus of The Family Chat is on exam season and how to manage the heightened screen time and stress it brings. Giovanna emphasizes the evolving nature of revision for today’s generation, noting the benefits that screen time can offer in terms of learning opportunities.
For the Jackson family, smartphones are an integral part of daily life. While screen time management has been a concern, especially regarding sleep patterns, the family has found strategies to navigate these challenges. Lilia, preparing for her GCSEs, has learned to limit distractions by setting boundaries on her screen time and adjusting her study habits to optimize productivity.
Lilia’s approach involves creating personalized revision aids by converting online quiz results into flashcards. Ellie, the mother, acknowledges the potential drawbacks of excessive screen time but also recognizes the positive impact it can have on her daughter’s revision process through utilizing AI tools for academic support.
The Jackson family plans to utilize Tesco Mobile’s Top Tips for Supporting Children Around Exam Season, which includes setting up a dedicated revision space and being mindful of signs of fatigue or stress. By fostering conversations and finding a balance in screen time usage, families can better support their children during challenging academic periods.
Implementing practical tools like Focus Mode and setting boundaries with notifications can help regulate screen time. Encouraging meaningful conversations about readiness and confidence levels can provide valuable support to children. Additionally, emphasizing the importance of sleep in memory retention and learning is crucial for overall well-being and academic success.
