As summer arrives, families with teenagers are not only enjoying day trips and vacations but also navigating through the busy exam season. With a significant amount of studying and review taking place online, teenagers are spending more time in front of screens. Balancing this increased screen time to ensure it is productive and not causing distractions or affecting sleep can be challenging.
Parents and teens are urged to find a middle ground that alleviates pressure and anxiety during this period. Throughout the year, The Family Chat initiative, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, is facilitating open discussions within families on online safety. Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, a mother of three boys aged seven to 11, is engaging with parents and children to address the challenges they encounter, alongside highlighting how Tesco Mobile’s online resources can be beneficial.
In the current conversation, the focus is on managing the additional screen time and stress that accompany the exam season. Giovanna emphasizes the evolution of revision methods for this generation, highlighting the positives of utilizing screens for educational purposes from a young age.
For the Jackson family, smartphones are an integral part of daily life. While managing screen time was a concern, especially with regards to sleep routines, they have found ways to make it work effectively. Lilia, preparing for her GCSEs, has learned to limit distractions and use her screen time wisely. She adopts strategies like silencing group chats during revision and creating personalized study aids from online resources.
Ellie, the mother, acknowledges the importance of monitoring screen time but also sees the benefits, especially in aiding Lilia’s revision. The family intends to follow Tesco Mobile’s Top Tips for Supporting Children Around Exam Season, incorporating practices such as setting up a dedicated revision space using laptops instead of phones, and recognizing signs of fatigue or stress in children.
By utilizing tools like Focus Mode, Screen Time, and App Limits, and fostering conversations around readiness and confidence, families can better support their children during this crucial period. Addressing the correlation between sleep, memory, and learning is also vital for overall well-being and academic success.
