- 25-Jul-2025
- Marriage and Divorce Laws
With the increasing influence of technology in children's lives, concerns about screen time—such as the excessive use of smartphones, tablets, computers, and television—have become a common topic of discussion among parents, especially those who are divorced or separated. In custody arrangements, some parents may want to include provisions that regulate their child’s screen time to ensure balanced, healthy development. While family courts typically avoid dictating specifics about how parents should manage screen time, they may intervene if excessive screen use negatively affects the child’s well-being or hinders the co-parenting dynamic.
Custody agreements are typically designed to cover major issues such as visitation schedules, decision-making authority, and the child's general well-being. However, in some cases, parents may seek to include specific rules about screen time if they have strong concerns about how technology use is affecting their child’s development or lifestyle.
Parents may agree to specific limits on the amount of time their child spends on screens during their custody period. This could include restrictions like no more than two hours per day or no screen time after 8 p.m.
Some parents may want to establish certain periods or places where screens are not allowed, such as at the dinner table, during family activities, or before bedtime. These rules could be included in the custody agreement to help promote family bonding and better sleep hygiene for the child.
Provisions may also specify the type of content the child can access, particularly for younger children. Parents might agree to restrict certain apps, social media platforms, or video games based on age-appropriate guidelines.
Family courts generally avoid getting involved in the specific details of how parents manage daily aspects of their children’s lives, such as screen time. However, if one parent feels the other’s screen time practices are negatively impacting the child’s health or development, they may bring the issue to court for resolution.
Courts will focus on the child’s overall well-being and whether the child’s screen habits are interfering with their physical health, academic performance, or social development. If a child is exhibiting signs of excessive screen use, such as poor grades, sleep disturbances, or social isolation, the court may intervene.
Courts typically encourage parents to work together in managing technology use. In some cases, the court may suggest mediation to help the parents agree on a balanced approach to screen time, including how to set limits and what activities should be prioritized.
Excessive screen time can have negative consequences on a child's physical and mental health. Problems like disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, and issues with attention span can arise if a child spends too much time in front of screens. In custody cases, one parent may be concerned that the other is allowing the child too much screen time, especially if the child is using devices as a way to cope with stress or emotional distress after the divorce.
Provisions in custody agreements may include limits on the duration and timing of screen time, aiming to encourage a more balanced lifestyle for the child. For example, one parent may want to restrict gaming to weekends or limit screen use on school nights to improve the child’s focus on studies.
The court may support arrangements that encourage the child to spend time on more interactive, non-screen-based activities. These could include outdoor play, reading, or engaging in hobbies that foster the child’s creativity and social skills.
Not all screen time is harmful. In fact, educational content, such as e-learning apps, documentaries, or educational games, can be an enriching part of a child’s development. Parents may want to differentiate between recreational screen time (e.g., video games, TV shows) and educational screen time, and this distinction can be part of a custody arrangement.
If parents agree that screen time should be limited but still want to promote educational uses of technology, the custody agreement might specify guidelines for acceptable content. For example, the child could be allowed to use a tablet for reading apps or educational games but discouraged from watching TV or using social media.
In some custody agreements, parents might agree that both parents should encourage their child’s engagement with technology in a way that is constructive, such as participating in online classes, exploring learning apps, or developing digital skills.
Both parents generally have the right to make decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, including how they manage screen time, as long as it aligns with the child’s well-being. However, if there is disagreement between parents about what constitutes healthy screen time limits, the court may need to intervene.
If one parent feels the other is not respecting agreed-upon screen time limits, the issue could be raised during a custody modification request. The court will likely assess how screen time impacts the child’s overall health, academics, and emotional state and may adjust the custody agreement accordingly.
Custody agreements often provide a general framework for raising the child, but they can also allow for flexibility. Parents might agree to revisit the screen time rules periodically to assess whether adjustments are necessary as the child grows older and their technology needs evolve.
A divorced couple shares joint custody of their 10-year-old son. The mother is concerned about her son’s increasing screen time during his visits to his father’s house. The father allows him to spend several hours playing video games, watching TV, and using social media, which the mother feels is interfering with his homework and sleep schedule.
While family courts typically do not involve themselves in detailed aspects of daily parenting, they may approve or encourage provisions in custody agreements that regulate screen time if it impacts the child’s well-being. Parents can work together to create reasonable limits on screen time that promote healthy development, but if disputes arise, the court may intervene to ensure that the child’s best interests are met. The key is to strike a balance between allowing the child to benefit from technology while also ensuring they engage in other important activities like physical exercise, social interactions, and sleep.
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