Slate Daily Feed Care & Feeding | ENCORE! Managing Screen Time Without Losing Your Mind
Jan 1, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Ash Brandin, a middle school teacher and author of 'Power On,' provides insightful strategies for managing screen time without guilt. They emphasize that screen time doesn't determine parenting quality and advocate for reframing the narrative around tech use. Ash explores how to raise independent, tech-savvy kids and discusses the importance of understanding different types of screen activities. Plus, they offer tips for effective communication with schools to navigate tech mandates, making the world of screens more manageable for families.
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Neutralize Screen Time Morality
- Ash Brandin reframes screen time as neutral so caregivers can act without shame.
- Removing moral weight makes it easier to set consistent, compassionate boundaries.
Ask "Then What?" Before Blaming
- When a screen moment feels like a crisis, ask "Then what?" before blaming screens.
- Focus on practical alternatives rather than cycling through guilt and repeated failures.
All Screen Time Isn't The Same
- Screen time is heterogeneous: FaceTime, games, TikTok, audiobooks all differ in purpose and impact.
- Measure screens by the family's needs and goals, not by a single time metric.