As children return to classrooms after the summer-long break, parents have a chance to reset family rules, tackle AI head-on, and model healthier tech habits.
September doesn’t just mark the end of the holidays; it’s the perfect time for a digital reset. Over the summer, children often get more screen time than anyone bargained for. From endless TikTok loops to late-night gaming, devices creep into every waking hour. With school back in session, families need to reset boundaries, refresh routines, and make sure children are ready for learning.
When I speak to parents and educators, one theme always comes up: worry. Worry about screen time. Worry about inappropriate content. Worry about AI, which many admit they don’t fully understand themselves. Our Parental Attitudes Survey of parents across Nigeria showed that 98% think about online safety often or always, and 69% say they are very concerned. Their biggest fears? Exposure to inappropriate content (81%), excessive screen time (78%), and addiction to social media (70%). Yet more than half said they don’t use parental control tools. The gap between fear and action is wide, and this back-to-school season is the moment to close it.
Here are six practical resets to guide your family’s digital life
Bedtime Digital Rules. Summer routines tend to be relaxed, but school requires structure. Start with a digital sunset: all devices are turned off at a set time and kept out of bedrooms. Sleep is non-negotiable for learning, and blue light from screens makes it harder to wind down. If your home has never had digital rules, this is the perfect time to introduce them. Children might initially resist this, but over time, they will notice they are well rested and able to concentrate better.
Talk About AI and Ethics. AI isn’t futuristic; it’s already shaping how children learn. More and more children are using AI tools for schoolwork. Many parents I meet admit that they’ve never spoken to their children about using AI responsibly. Blanket bans don’t work. Instead, check your child’s school policy and have honest conversations at home. Encourage your child to use AI to help with planning, revision, and brainstorming, but not to do all the heavy lifting. If they rely on it to do the work, then children aren’t developing the critical thinking they need. It is important to share examples of students who have been asked to retake classes or leave school for cheating with AI.
Address AI Companions. This summer saw a rise in children experimenting with AI “friends.” For children still building social skills, that’s risky. AI mimics empathy, but it is not empathic. Trust and connection must come from people, not algorithms. Ensure your children understand the distinction between Generative AI such as ChatGPT, and an actual person. They are created to sound human, but they are not; it is simply a computer that uses the information and data it has to give responses.
Encourage Positive Tech Use. Not all screen time is bad. The key is turning online interests into real-world skills. A child who loves cooking shows can actually cook a meal. A gamer can learn to code. A budding storyteller can publish an e-book. These bridges remind children that technology is a tool for creating, not just consuming. When parents balance their message with this, the children can visualize and practice how to use Tech for good.
Create Screen-Free Zones and Times. Children mirror what they see. If the dinner table, early mornings, and school runs are device-free for everyone, including parents, the message is clear that not every moment needs a screen. The morning commute, especially, should be sacred. Giving your child “digital junk food” on the drive to school via their phone is like handing them a sugary donut for breakfast. It delivers a quick high, followed by a crash. By the time they reach school, their brains are overstimulated and unfocused. A screen-free ride, with a book or even just looking out the window, primes their brain for learning in a way scrolling never will. Do the same with dinner time, make sure meals are screen-free to encourage open connection and communication.
Delay the Smartphone. Parents always ask: when’s the right age for a smartphone? My answer: Later is better. Sixteen is far safer than eleven. If you do hand over a device earlier, don’t leave it to chance; set it up with parental controls, time limits, and rules. Willpower isn’t enough, and the guardrails you put in place matter. Use this back-to-school season as an opportunity to reset your family’s digital habits, sharpen your children’s digital skills, and foster critical thinking. Parents are right to be concerned, but concern without action leaves children exposed. The key to digital parenting isn’t panic but preparation. Get your copy of Digital Savvy Parenting today and find out if your digital parenting style needs fine-tuning and upgrading to be effective in the digital age.
Yetty Williams is the founder of LagosMums, an accredited digital parenting coach, trained in cyberpsychology, and the author of Digital Savvy Parenting.
