How to Get Teens Off Screens

Dog walking with a friend helps your teen reconnect in real-life.

Source: Prostooleh/Freepik

Social media is threatening the mental health and well-being in adolescents lives according to a John Hopkins study. If your teen is spending more than 3-hours daily online or connected to their device, they are at higher risk of mental health problems.

This includes being withdrawn, depression, anxiety as well as aggression, acting out and possibly suicide ideation and self-harm.

In a new report from PEW Research, sadly, more teens are saying they spend too much time on social media (45 percent) -- this is up from the last PEW Research in 2022 report, at (36 percent).

Many parents believe that social media is a driving force for today's mental health crisis among young people. Forty-four percent say that it mostly has a negative effect on teenagers.

“Social media is a big part of teens’ lives nowadays, and they are always trying to live up to the expectations of all the friends on their pages.”
– Father of teen (PEW Research Center, 2025)

Some teens also point to social media as a point of concern when it comes to their mental health; twenty-two percent cite social media, as well as eight percent include technology more broadly to be part of the problem.

“The overuse of social media in our society seems to be the main cause of depression among those in my age group. People seem to let themselves be affected by the opinions of people they don’t know, and it wreaks havoc upon people’s states of mind.”
– Teen boy (PEW Research Center, 2025)

The good news is nearly half (48 percent) of teens realize that social media is harmful; causing them to feel poorly and impacting their mental health. Now is the time for parents and guardians to take action and help our teens find ways to disconnect.

It's important to realize the health benefits of insisting your teenager spend time outdoors.

• Overall mental health: By spending time outside it can improve a teens’ focus, their mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and cultivate emotional intelligence.
• Physical health: Physical activity helps teens develop strength, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness.
• Builds self-confidence: Teens that spend time outdoors, specifically in nature, helps build self-worth.

5 Ways to Help Your Teen Get Off Screens

Parents need to start by giving your teen chores that include outdoor activities, such as:

1. Gardening: Do you have a vegetable garden? This is a great way to get your teenager outside and part of a fantastic project! If you haven’t started one — the time is now. One way to begin is by asking them what they would like to grow, depending on where you live, give them options that can be successful.

Planting flowers is just as engaging and exciting as they nurture them and watch them grow, this also helps your teen build self-esteem.

2. Walking the dog: The presence of a dog in the life of an adolescent has positive outcomes in terms of physical activity level. This also helps improve cardiovascular health, weight management, and boosts mental-wellness by reducing stress.

One of the best benefits of dog walking is meeting your neighbors and starting conversations (in real life) rather than on screens. It will give your teenager a chance to enjoy the community face-to-face.

3. Lawncare: Whether it’s mowing your lawn, pulling weeds or raking leaves — giving your teen lawncare on their list of chores will get them outside and off their devices. This also build confidence with a sense of accomplishment.

If your teen is of age, they may want to expand into a lawncare business in the neighborhood for extra money.

4. Biking: Biking is not a chore; however, it should be a requirement for your teen at least 2 to 3 times a week. Riding a bike can enhance social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Being outside in the fresh-air, pedaling and letting your thoughts be free can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Adolescence Essential Reads

Is Your Teen Really the Problem?

College Bound and the Changing Adolescent Brain

Students were more likely to report spending fewer hours in front of screens after regularly riding bikes according to People for Bikes. Parent should actually include this in their technology agreement — your teen should be required to spend at least 2-3 days each week on their bike outside for an hour.

5. Wash the car, clean the patio, vacuum the pool: Whatever you have outside that needs cleaning or maintenance, include this in your teen’s chore list. It’s imperative you get them outdoors as much as possible in today’s digital times.

Washing the car is a great physical activity for teens, it involves bending, reaching and stretching. For those that are sitting bending their screens, this can be crucial for their physical health.

Conclusion

The list above is about what how you can get your teenager outdoors at home, there are more ways you can bond with your teen in nature on short trips. Nature is a powerful tool for promoting teen mental health and well-being.