Managing Screen Time

As you might know, the overuse of 'screen time’ is a growing concern for parents and educators. As our students move forward with their studies, it is very important that they maintain a healthy lifestyle and not overindulge in 'screen time’.

While the school manages a wide range of device restrictions and security measures in the interest of our students’ safety and education, we wanted to let you know that there are other device-specific features that are much more suited to a home environment which can also be customised and set on the devices.

This is in no way a requirement. Instead, we just wanted to let you know that there is a feature that is available to monitor your child’s screen time.

Monitoring Screen Time

Apple’s Screen Time feature allows users/parents to not only monitor how much time is being spent 'on screen', but also where that time is being spent e.g. '2 hours spent on the YouTube website’.

Managing Screen Time

Further, Screen Time also provides a comprehensive screen-time management feature that parents can make use of.

Using Screen Time, you can do things like:

• Set Downtime, preventing the user from using the device between certain times and on certain days e.g. between 10pm-6am on weekdays or on weekends.
• Set time-based limitations for app categories - e.g. all social networking apps - or even specific apps.
• Disable certain apps and websites e.g. YouTube
• Only allow specific websites etc.

Please note: Be careful not to impose restrictions on the device during school time.

Please see Apple’s video guide about using Screen Time in iOS. You can also use this video guide , which will help you set the 'Down Time' on the device.

Set Boundaries

Students should not be excessively using devices at home. We recommend that you specify: 

• Where in the house the device can be used.
• When it is to be used and when it is not to be used.
• Where it is to be stored when not in use.”

Taking a Break on Weekends and Holidays

School holidays present a great opportunity for us to give the students a break from their screens. There is a growing body of research that shows that it is very beneficial to provide children with sustained breaks from having screen time.

Our school is very passionate about ensuring the best experience for our students, and this of course extends to their safe and healthy use of their devices.